Antifungal paints and coatings

ABSTRACT

Antifungal and antibacterial peptides, polypeptides and proteins as antifungal additives for paint and other coatings are disclosed, along with antifungal compostions, and coated surfaces with antifungal properties. Methods of using the coatings for treating and/or inhibiting growth of mold, mildew and other fungi and bacteria on objects such as building materials that are susceptible to such infestation are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 11/368,086 filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is a division of copending application Ser. No. 10/884,355 filed on Jul. 2, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/485,234 filed Jul. 3, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to antifungal and antibacterial compositions and methods employing such compositions to deter or prevent fungal growth in stored coatings and on susceptible surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to such compositions containing antifungal and antibacterial peptides, polypeptides or proteins and to methods of making and using such compositions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Fungal growth on indoor and outdoor surfaces is a major environmental concern today affecting home, work and recreational environments. Not only can fungus (e.g., mold, mildew) be unsightly on exposed surfaces, it can destroy wood, fiber and other materials if left untreated, causing severe damage to buildings and other structures and equipment. Over the past few years it has become increasingly apparent that exposure to certain fungi or their spores can seriously impact the health of humans, pets and other animals. Although fungi are certainly not the only factors that detrimentally affect indoor air quality, in many instances they have been identified as a primary contributor to indoor air quality problems. In fact, the term “sick building syndrome” was recently coined to describe buildings in which various physical, chemical and biological factors, including growing fungi and/or their spores, have severely compromised the air quality leading to discomfort or illness of the occupants. Concerns such as allergies, asthma, infections, and the long-term repercussions of mold toxins are just a few of the many real health effects associated with mold contamination of indoor and outdoor environments.

Fungi (including true fungi, molds and mildews) are eukaryotic organisms that have cell walls, similar to plants, but do not contain chlorophyll. There are between 100,000-200,000 species of fungi, mold and mildew, depending on which classification methods are used. Of particular concern are the pathogenic fungi, which can cause significant harm to individuals who are exposed to them. About 300 species are presently known to be pathogenic for man, but it is thought that there are many other as yet unrecognized fungal pathogens. The field of medical mycology has emerged as a result of the growing number of fungal-related illnesses and deaths.

Fungi grow as saprophytes, i.e., in a suitable moist environment they are able to decompose organic matter to obtain the nourishment needed for growth. Building and decorative materials such as wood, paper-coated wallboard, wallpaper, fabrics, carpet and leather can provide the necessary organic matter. Today, an especially problematic fungal genus sometimes found in buildings that have excess indoor moisture is Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly found in nature growing on cellulose-rich plant materials, has often been found in water-damaged building materials, such as ceiling tiles, wallpaper, Sheetrock® and cellulose resin wallboard (fiberboard). Depending on the particular conditions of temperature, pH and humidity in which the mold is growing, Stachybotrys may produce mycotoxins, compounds that have toxic properties.

Other common fungi that can grow in residential and commercial buildings are Aspergillus species (sp.)., Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria dianthicola, Aureobasidium pullulans (aka Pullularia pullulans), Phoma pigmentivora and Cladosporium sp. The moist indoor environment which promotes growth of these fungi can arise from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding, in some cases due to defects in building construction, faulty mechanical system design, and/or operational problems. Even modern homes and commercial buildings are not immune to fungal invasion despite the use of technologically advanced building materials and more energy efficient construction and operation than in buildings of the past. Modern homes tend to be less well ventilated, and although the use of air conditioning reduces humidity making it harder for mold to grow, today's central air conditioning systems can also facilitate the spread of mold spores throughout a home. Increased use of paper products in homes and commercial buildings today further encourages mold growth. Heavy contamination of indoor or outdoor surfaces by dirt and/or oil can also provide a food source for a fungus. Vulnerable structures and materials that are difficult to access for cleaning, or for which cleaning is neglected, are particularly vulnerable to attack by fungi. Fungi are also known to contaminate stored paints, fuels, and many other industrial products.

Fungal colonies typically take on filamentous form, having long filament-like cells called hyphae. Under the right environmental conditions, hyphae grow into an intertwining network called the mycelium. A mycelium can be visible to the naked eye, appearing as unsightly fuzzy green, bluish-gray or black spots, for example. When conditions for growth are less favorable, many varieties of fungi can respond by forming spores on specialized hyphal cells. Spores are the primary means for dispersal and survival of fungi, and can remain dormant for months or even years—even withstanding extremely adverse conditions, to germinate and flourish again when environmental variables such as light, oxygen levels, temperature, and nutrient availability again become favorable. Thick-walled spores are substantially more resistant to common disinfective agents than are the thinner-walled vegetative fungal cells. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment.

As mentioned above, paints and paint films or coatings are known to be vulnerable to mold contamination due to the presence of common organic components that act as cellulosic thickeners, surfactants and defoamers, and which can also serve as a source of food for fungus cells. Some of these components are casein, acrylic, polyvinyl and other carbon polymers. For example, latex is a water-dispersed binder comprising a carbon polymer. Inside the paint can, certain fungi (e.g., yeasts) can convert enough carbon-containing food sources to CO.sub.2 to swell or even explode the can. Fungi can also discolor and reduce the viscosity of the paint, and produce foul odors. Both in-can preservation of paints and protection of the end use paint films, and the surfaces they cover, from mold, mildew and yeasts is necessary. To combat fungi, a variety of coating materials have been formulated which include organic or inorganic chemicals to discourage or prevent the growth of mildew on the paint film. Ideally, these chemical fungicides or mildewcides slowly leach out of the paint to the surface, and maintain their inhibitory properties for the life of the paint film, causing little or no harm to the environment. In practice, however, the antifungal properties of most coating compositions in use today persist for variable lengths of time, depending on the amount of exposure to the elements, abrasion and erosion.

Most antifungal chemicals are non-specific as to the organism affected and can be detrimental to the environment, including toxicity to plant and animal life. It is more difficult to identify fungus-specific agents than it is to discover bacteria specific-agents because fungal cells share many similarities with the cells of higher organisms, whereas bacterial cells are distinctly different. For this reason, fungicides tend to be more toxic to humans and animals than are bactericides. U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,731 (Owens) describes a number of common and proprietary chemical mildewcide-containing products that have been investigated as additives for water-based latex mixtures. Some known antifungal agents that have been used in the coatings industry are: copper (II) 8-quinolinolate (CAS No. 10380-28-6); zinc oxide (CAS No. 1314-13-2); zinc-dimethyl dithiocarbamate (CAS No. 137-304); 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, zinc salt (CAS No. 155-04-4); barium metaborate (CAS No. 13701-59-2); tributyl tin benzoate (CAS No. 4342-36-3); bis tributyl tin salicylate (CAS No. 22330-14-9), tributyl tin oxide (CAS No. 56-35-9); parabens: ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 120-47-8), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 94-13-3) methyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 99-76-3) and butyl parahydroxybenzoate (CAS No. 94-26-8); methylenebis(thiocyanate) (CAS No. 6317-18-6); 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5); 2-mercaptobenzo-thiazole (CAS No. 149-30-4); 5-chloro-2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone (CAS No. 57373-19-0); 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone (CAS No. 57373-20-3); zinc 2-pyridinethiol-N-oxide (CAS No. 1346341-7); tetra-hydro-3,5-di-methyl-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione (CAS No. 533-74-4); N-trichloromethyl-thio-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide (CAS No. 133-06-2); 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 26530-20-1); 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-isophthalonitrile (CAS No. 1897-45-6); 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate (CAS No. 55406-53-6); diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone (CAS No. 20018-09-1); N-(trichloromethyl-thio)phthalimide (CAS No. 133-07-3); potassium N-hydroxy-methyl-N-methyl-dithiocarbamate (CAS No. 51026-28-9); sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide (CAS No. 15922-78-8); 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole (CAS No. 21564-17-0); 2-4(-thiazolyl) benzimidazole (CAS No. 148-79-8). See V. M. King, “Bactericides, Fungicides, and Algicides,” Ch. 29, pp. 261-267; and D. L. Campbell, “Biological Deterioration of Paint Films,” Ch. 54, pp. 654-661; both in PAINT AND COATING TESTING MANUAL, 14.sup.th ed. of the Gardner-Sward Handbook, J. V. Koleske, Editor (1995), American Society for Testing and Materials, Ann Arbor, Mich. Currently, the Pesticide Action Network North America (PAN) lists in its Internet chemical database, www.panna.org, the above-mentioned chemicals plus more than 700 additional chemicals designated as pesticides having antifungal properties in soil and wood.

The mode of action of some of the metal-based antifungal agents is thought to be chelation of metals that are necessary to growth of the organisms. Some of the nitrogen- and/or sulfur-containing antifungal agents are thought to act by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation in the fungal cells, or inhibiting oxidation of glucose. The paraben compounds (aka hydroxybenzoate) are thought to affect membrane activity and integrity.

Due to environmental and safety concerns, there is increasing pressure today on the coatings industry to eliminate some of the more effective but more toxic chemical preservatives from paints and other coating compositions. Yet at the same time, consumers wish to avoid purchasing spoiled or poorly performing products. Thus, there is a great need in the industry today for safe and effective alternatives to conventional antifungal agents.

Various naturally occurring biological products that are said to possess antifungal activity are described in the background discussion of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 5,885,782 [each incorporated in their entirety by reference herein]. In many cases, the active component of those natural antifungal agents has not been identified nor completely characterized. Since most of the known naturally occurring antifungal agents are poorly characterized at best, the persistence and toxicity of such compounds in the environment is also unknown. Furthermore, the fact that many of those compounds are produced by microbes in the environment suggests that they may have a limited spectrum of antifungal activity. A drawback of most of the antifungal agents in use today is that they are as toxic to higher organisms as they are to the target fungi. The more target-specific antifungal agents tend to be very rare and/or costly.

Recently developed methods permit the preparation of synthetic peptide combinational libraries (“SPCLs”) that are composed of equimolar mixtures of free peptides that can be used with in vitro methods to determine bioactivity (Furka, A., et al. Int. J. Pept. Protein Res. 37:487 (1991), Houghten, R. A., et al. Nature 354:84 (1991), Houghten, R. A., et al. BioTechniques 13:412 (1992). Libraries can consist of D- or L-amino acid stereoisomers or combinations of L- and D- and/or non-naturally-occurring amino acids. Other methods for synthesizing peptides of defined sequence are also known. Similarly, large-scale preparative methods are known. Certain recombinant methods for producing peptides have also been described, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,351. While U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 5,885,782 describe agricultural uses for certain synthetic antifungal peptides, none of those or any other peptidic agents have been previously investigated as additives for use in the paints and coatings industry.

Although significant advancement has been made in identifying various chemical agents and natural and synthetic peptides or proteins that demonstrate antifungal activity for certain uses (e.g., medical treatment or agricultural use), there is no indication that any such biomolecule could be used successfully in paints or other coating materials for protecting or treating non-living objects. Antifungal or fungus-resistant paints and other coating compositions are needed which do not suffer from the same limitations as conventional surface coating materials containing existing fungicides and antifungal agents. Ideally, an antifungal paint will contain fungus-specific fungus deterring/inhibiting/killing agents that are stable in paints and other coating mixtures during storage, persist in the resulting coat or film that is spread out over a surface in need of protection from fungal infestation, and which are safer to the environment. Better antifungal materials would be especially welcomed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and by the architectural, marine and industrial maintenance industries. In particular, antifungal and antibacterial additives to paints and coatings that work alone or synergistically with existing antifungal agents would be desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The compositions and methods of the present invention overcome some of the disadvantages of previous antifungal or fungus-resistant paints, coatings and other compositions such as elastomers, textile finishes, adhesives, and sealants. It was not previously known to combine a natural, synthetic or recombinant antifungal peptide, polypeptide or peptide with a paint or other coating material to provide a coated surface with sustainable antifungal activity that protects the recipient surface from fungal infestation and defacement, and which also provides fungus resistance to the composition itself. It is now disclosed that antifungal peptidic agents offer a new tool in the arsenal of fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals. Accordingly, new antifungal and antibacterial paints, coatings, films and other compositions are provided which contain one or more bioactive peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins as antifungal and antibacterial peptidic agents. Methods of using the antifungal and antibacterial additives and compositions for treating existing fungal or bacterial colonies and/or for deterring or preventing fungal or bacterial infestations and inhibiting cell growth or proliferation on a variety of inanimate objects such as interior and exterior architectural surfaces and building materials are also provided. The compositions and methods disclosed herein avoid many of the drawbacks of existing methods and compositions which rely on non-specific chemical bacteriocides, fungicides, or antifungal agents. By application of a protective coating comprising one or more antifungal or antibacterial protein, polypeptide or peptide, one can prevent or deter or lessen the infestation and growth of fungus or bacterium. At the same time, the associated discoloration, disfiguration and/or degradation of the supporting substrate or surface can be avoided or reduced. The compositions of the invention are especially useful on surfaces where conditions are conducive to deposition and development of fungus or bacteria, and where control of fungal or bacterial growth is preferably accomplished with compositions which are not toxic to humans, pets and other animals or harmful to the environment.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, an antifungal coating composition is provided that is effective for inhibiting the growth of Stachybotrys fungi. In some embodiments, an antifungal coating composition is provided that is effective for inhibiting the growth of one or more of the Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, and Cladosporium genera of fungi. In some embodiments, an antifungal coating composition is effective for inhibiting the growth of Rhizoctonia, Ceratocystis, Pythium, Mycosphaerella, and Candida genera of fungi. In certain instances, a coating is provided that is either antifungal, antibacterial, or both antifungal and antibacterial.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, compositions are formulated for use as paints and the like, for coating surfaces. In certain embodiments, such coating includes impregnating porous or semi-porous materials that are capable of supporting fungal growth. These compositions contain various antifungal peptides or proteins, as described herein, and may also contain chemicals and other substances that are conventional and well known in the art. One of the important benefits of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention is that little or no formulation modification, other than the inclusion of the presently described antifungal peptide component, is needed to obtain substantial enhancement of fungus resistant, antifungal or fungicidal properties of the coating composition.

A further embodiment comprises using a film or coat comprising the coating composition, or the composition itself, to protect an object or material selected from the group consisting of wood, paint, adhesive, glue, paper, textile, leather, plastic, cardboard, caulking, from infestation and growth of a fungus.

A preferred coating material comprises a paint or coating. In some embodiments the paint or coating is applied prophylactically over a “clean” surface that is not contaminated by fungal-spores. In other embodiments the paint or coating is applied to a surface already contaminated by fungal spores or growing fungus.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, a paint or other surface-coating composition is provided that contains an antifungal protein, polypeptide or peptide additive that retains its antifungal activity after being admixed with said paint or other surface-coating composition, and retains antifungal activity after the paint or surface-coating composition is applied to a surface. Even after drying, the paint or other surface-coating composition renders the coated surface antifungal. More specifically, an antifungal paint or other surface-coating composition comprising antifungal protein, polypeptide or peptide additive is capable of biologically interacting with a susceptible fungus cell or spore in a manner that inhibits or prevents growth of the fungus, preferably for extended periods of time. Some additives of the present invention remained stable in the coating for an extended period of time (e.g., months) at ambient conditions. It is contemplated that with certain antifungal compositions, especially those containing microencapsulated antifungal peptides, the extended period of activity may comprise years. In a preferred embodiment, a polymer-based compound that prophalactically and continuously deters fungal infestation, inhibits or kills fungal cells is provided.

It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the compositions and methods of the present invention may be used to produce a fungal cell growth inhibitory surface, or a fungal cell killing surface, that remains active for extended periods. Such an antifungal surface may not need additional treatment with fungicide compositions, clean-up treatments to effect decontamination and cosmetic painting, thereby simplifying upkeep of the physical condition and appearance of fungus infestation prone surfaces such as building exteriors. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the compositions of the present invention may be easily applied to susceptible surfaces in advance of and/or during exposure to a fungus organism.

Isolated naturally occurring proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides are employed in some embodiments, and in preferred embodiments synthetic proteins, polypeptides and/or peptides are employed. In some embodiments, combinations of natural and/or synthetic proteins, polypeptides and peptides are employed. Still other embodiments employ at least one recombinant protein, polypeptide and/or peptide that is produced using specific expression vectors in a variety of host cells.

Antifungal peptides are chemically defined species that are easily synthesized and purified. They are not necessarily dependent upon the genetic stability or growth properties of microorganisms for their production. The methods and compositions of the present invention employ an array of different antibiotic compounds which are shown to have particular effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of or killing fungal cells. The compositions of the invention are effective in controlling the growth of fungi, and yet demonstrate a high degree of specificity to the target fungi, low toxicity and controlled persistence in the environment. Using the preferred methods it is possible to produce and identify desirable antifungal agents for use in paints and coatings in a much shorter time, and with a considerably higher-probability of success, than screening natural isolates for antifungal peptides. Since the preferred methods of production can control the chemical nature of the antifungal agents thus produced, synthesis and purification (if needed) of the peptides is much less problematic (e.g., cysteine is eliminated, which amino acid's free sulfhydryl groups can cause unwanted cross linking). Thus, in some embodiments, the paint compositions of the present invention comprise peptides of precisely known chemical structure and characteristics. The use of D-amino acids increases the stability of certain of these compounds by being insensitive to common biological degradation pathways that degrade L-amino acid peptides. For instance, L-amino acid peptides may be stabilized by addition of D-amino acids at one or both of the peptide termini. However, biochemical pathways are available which will degrade even D-amino acids in these peptides so that long-term environmental persistence is not a problem. Of course, where the compositions of the invention act rapidly or need not otherwise be stabilized, L-amino acids or mixtures of L- and D-amino acids may be useful. Unlike antifungal agents which only work as one or another stereoisomer, the compositions of the invention work well as either one or another stereoisomer or as a mixed stereoisomeric composition. Research leading to the current invention evaluated SPCLs for activity against fungal pathogens, including pathogens of plants as well as those of animals. The library was composed of 52,128,400 six-residue peptides, each peptide being composed of D-amino acids and having non-acetylated N-termini and amidated C-termini. However, it is not necessary for a peptide composition of demonstrable antibiotic activity to be completely defined as to each residue. In fact, in certain instances, especially where the peptide compositions of the invention are being used to treat an array of fungal target organisms each with a different causative agent, mixed peptide compositions will be preferred. This is also likely to be the case where there is a desire to treat a fungal target with lower concentrations of numerous antifungal additives rather than a higher concentration of a single chemical composition. In other instances where, for instance, due to the increased cost of testing or producing a completely defined peptide antibiotic is prohibitive, the mixed peptide compositions of the invention having one or more variable amino acid residues may be preferred. In other instances, it may be possible to use peptide antibiotic compositions in coatings that have not been purified, that have not had their side chains de-blocked, and/or have not been cleared from the synthetic resin used to anchor the growing amino acid chains. Thus, antibiotic compositions comprising equimolar mixture of peptides produced in a synthetic peptide combinatorial library utilizing the methods of the invention have been derived and shown to have desirable antibiotic activity. In certain embodiments, these relatively variable compositions are specifically those based upon the sequences of one or more of the peptides disclosed in any of the U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 5,885,782.

The antibiotic compositions of the invention may also comprise a carrier. In certain instances, the carrier will be one suitable for permanent surface coating applications. In other instances, the carrier will be one suitable for use in applying the antibiotic compositions in semi-permanent or temporary coatings. In either instance, the carrier selected should preferably be a carrier whose chemical and/or physical characteristics do not significantly interfere with the antibiotic activity of the peptide composition. It is known, for instance that certain microsphere carriers may be effectively utilized with proteinaceous compositions in order to deliver these compositions to a site of preferred activity such as onto a surface. Liposomes may be similarly utilized to deliver labile antibiotics. Saline solutions, coating-acceptable buffers and solvents and the like may also be utilized as carriers for the peptide compositions of the invention. Those peptides have been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of fungal cells from at least the Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Ceratocystis, Pythium, Mycosphaerella and Candida species, and are believed to be active against additional genera, including at least some of those that are capable of infesting building materials and other inanimate objects.

Similarly, processes for inhibiting growth of fungal cells comprise contacting the fungal cell with a paint or coating composition comprising at least one peptide. Using the techniques of the invention, selected pathogenic fungi, some pathogens of plants and others pathogens of animals, have been tested. The processes of the invention have, therefore, been specifically shown to be effective where the fungal cell is a fungal cell selected from the group of fungi consisting of Fusarium and Aspergillus. The processes of the invention are applied to fungal cells of a pathogen of an animal, such as a human. A method for selecting antibiotic compositions is also described. The method comprises first creating a synthetic peptide combinatorial library as described herein. Next, as further described in detail herein, a step of contacting a battery of fungal cells with aliquots of the synthetic peptide combinatorial library, each of which aliquots represents an equimolar mixture of peptides in which at least the two C-terminal amino acid residues are known and which residues are in common for each peptide in said mixture is accomplished. After allowing an appropriate period for growth, a next step is accomplished in which the growth of the battery of fungal cells as compared to untreated control cells is measured. Lastly, a determination is made of which of the aliquots most reduces the growth of fungal cells in a coating overall in the battery of fungal cells. Of course, the same method may be carried out in which each of the aliquots represents an equimolar mixture of peptides in which at least three, four, five or more C-terminal amino acid residues are known (depending upon the overall length of the ultimate peptide in the SPCL). Typically, such increasingly defined aliquots will be sequentially tested in order to select the succeeding best candidate peptides for testing. Thus, an additional step in the method entails utilizing the determination of which of the aliquots reduces the growth of fungal cells in a coating overall in said battery of fungal cells to select which aliquots to next test of a synthetic peptide combinatorial library where at least one additional C-terminal amino acid residue is known.

A method of treating or preventing growth of a fungus on a susceptible surface is also disclosed. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description, specific examples and claims, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and are considered representative of other embodiments. Accordingly, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from this detailed description and the claims which follow that various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Paints and other conventional protective or decorative coating materials typically contain polymeric substances such as casein, acrylic, polyvinyl and carbon polymers (e.g., binders) which can serve as nutrients for fungal cells. As discussed above in the Background of the Invention, not only can these nutrient substances support the growth of fungus on paint films or coated surfaces, fungus can also grow inside cans of liquid paints and coating compositions during storage. It was, therefore, an unexpected discovery that certain synthetic peptides, when added to a range of conventional paint and coating materials, render those compositions resistant to fungal infestation and growth. It was also surprising to find that such additives worked alone or in conjunction with existing biocides in a coating.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Antifungal Peptide Additives for a Coating Composition

A group of preferred antifungal peptides that have either demonstrated activity as additives for coating mixtures, or that are expected to demonstrate such activity, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,312 (Edwards); U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 (Edwards); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,097 (Edwards), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. Preferred sequences that will be employed include one or more of SEQ ID Nos. 1-47, preferably SEQ ID Nos. 25-47. These and other peptides with antifungal activity are identified using methods and testing protocols like those described in the above-referenced patents. Additional peptides that are expected to demonstrate the desired activity in coatings are listed in Table I. The screening method generally includes:

(a) creating a synthetic peptide combinatorial library using known methods and materials;

(b) testing a battery of fungal cells that are known to, or suspected of, infesting a building material or other object having a fungus-infestation susceptible surface with aliquots of the synthetic peptide library, wherein each aliquot comprises an equimolar mixture of peptides in which at least one of the C-terminal amino acid residues are known and which residues are in common for each peptide in the mixture;

(c) admixing said aliquots with a coating typically used on such building material and coating a surface with the admixture;

(d) allowing an appropriate period of time for growth of the fungal cell under suitable culture conditions;

(e) comparing the growth of the treated fungal cells with untreated control cells;

(f) identifying which of the aliquots reduced the growth of the fungal cells; and, optionally, assessing the relative growth inhibitory activity of each aliquot compared to that of other aliquots (e.g., comparing IC.sub.50 data).

TABLE 1 Name Source Seq. ID Activity Reference Synthetic 1 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 2 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 3 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 4 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 5 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 6 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 7 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 8 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 9 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 10 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 11 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 12 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 13 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 14 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 15 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 16 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 17 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 18 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 19 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 20 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 21 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 22 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 23 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 24 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 25 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 26 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 27 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 28 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 29 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 30 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 31 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 32 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 33 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 34 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 35 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 36 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 37 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 38 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 39 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 40 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 41 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 42 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 43 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 44 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 45 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 46 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Synthetic 47 Fungi U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782 Tachystatin A Horseshoe 48 Gram+ & Fujitani (2002) Crab Gram−, Fungi Androctonin Androctonus 49 Gram+ & Mandard (1999) Australis Gram−, Fungi Tritrpticin Synthetic 50 Gram+ & Schibli (1999) Gram−, Fungi HNP-3 Defensin Human 51 Gram+ & Hill (1991) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Anti-fungal Phytolacca 52 Fungi Gao (2001) protein 1 (pafp-s) Americana Magainin 2 Synthetic 53 Gram+ & Hara (2001) construct Gram−, Fungi Indolicidin Bos Taurus 54 Gram+ & Rozek (2000) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Defensin Heliothis 55 Fungi Lamberty (2001) heliomicin virescens Defensin Heliothis 56 Gram+ & Lamberty (2001) heliomicin virescens Gram−, Fungi Sativum defensin Seed of Pea 57 Fungi Almeida (2002) 1 (psd1) Gomesin Synthetic 58 Gram+ & Mandard (2002) Gram−, Fungi Mammalian cells Lactoferricin B Bovine 59 Gram+ & Hwang (1998) Gram−, Virus, Fungi, Cancer cells PW2 Synthetic 60 Fungi Tinoco (2002) Hepcidin 20 Human 61 Fungi Hunter (2002) Hepcidin 25 Human 62 Fungi Hunter 2002) AC-AMP2 Amaranthus 63 Gram+, Fungi Martins (1996) caudatus NK-Lysin Sus scrofa 64 Gram+ & Liepinsh (1997) Gram−, Fungi Magainin 2 African clawed 65 Gram+ & Gesell (1997) frog Gram−, Fungi, cancer cells Melittin B Honey bee 66 Gram+ & Eisenberg venom Gram−, Fungi, Mammalian cells Thanatin Podisus 67 Gram+ & Mandard (1998) maculiventris Gram−, Fungi Antimicrobial Common ice 68 Gram+ & Michalowski (1998) peptide 1 plant Gram−, Fungi Melanotropin Bovine 69 Gram+, Fungi Cutuli (2000) alpha (Alpha- MSH) CORTICOSTATIN Rabbit 70 Gram+ & Selsted (1988) III (MCP-1) Gram−, Virus, Fungi CORTICOSTATIN Rabbit 71 Gram+ & Selsted (1988) III (MCP-1) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Cecropin B Chinese oak silk 72 Gram+ & Qu (1982) moth Gram−, Fungi Seminalplasmin Bovine 73 Gram+ & Theil (1983) Gram−, Fungi, Mammalian cells NP-3A defensin Rabbit 74 Gram+ & Zhu (1992) Gram−, Virus, Fungi HNP-1 Defensin Human 75 Gram+ & Zhang (1992) Gram−, Virus, Fungi HNP-2 Defensin Human 76 Gram+ & Selsted (1989) Gram−, Virus, Fungi HNP-4 Defensin Human 77 Gram+ & Wilde (1989) Gram−, Fungi Histatin 5 Human 78 Gram+ & Raj (1998) Gram−, Fungi Histatin 3 Human 79 Gram+ & Oppenheim (1988) Gram−, Fungi Histatin 8 80 Gram+ & Yin (2003) Gram−, Fungi Tracheal Bovine 81 Gram+ & Zimmermann (1995) antimicrobial Gram−, Fungi peptide AMP1 (MJ-AMP1) Garden four- 82 Gram+, Fungi Cammue (1992) o'clock AMP2 (MJ-AMP2) Garden four- 83 Gram+, Fungi Cammue (1992) o'clock MBP-1 Maize 84 Gram+ & Duvick (1992) Gram−, Fungi AFP2 Rape 85 Fungi Terras (1993) AFP1 Turnip 86 Fungi Terras (1993) AFP2 Turnip 87 Fungi Terras (1993) ADENOREGULIN Two coloured 88 Gram+ & Mor (1994) leaf frog Gram−, Fungi Protegrin 2 Pig 89 Gram+ & Kokryakov (1993) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Protegrin 3 Pig 90 Gram+ & Kokryakov (1993) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Histatin 1 Crab eating 91 Gram+ & Xu (1990) macaque Gram−, Fungi Peptide PGQ African clawed 92 Gram+ & Moore (1991) frog Gram−, Fungi Ranalexin Bull frog 93 Gram+ & Halverson (2000) Gram−, Fungi GNCP-2 Guinea pig 94 Gram+ & Nagaoka (1991) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Protegrin 4 Pig 95 Gram+ & Zhao (1994) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Protegrin 5 Pig 96 Gram+ & Zhao (1995) Gram−, Virus, Fungi BMAP-27 Bovine 97 Gram+ & Skerlavaj (1996) Gram−, Fungi BMAP-28 Bovine 98 Gram+ & Skerlavaj (1996) Gram−, Fungi Buforin I Asian toad 99 Gram+ & Park (1996) Gram−, Fungi Buforin II Asian toad 100 Gram+ & Yi (1996) Gram−, Fungi BMAP-34 Bovine 101 Gram+ & Scocchi (1997) Gram−, Fungi Tricholongin Trichoderma 102 Gram+ & Rebuffat (1991) longibrachiatum Gram−, Fungi Dermaseptin 1 Sauvage's leaf 103 Gram+ & Mor (1994 frog Gram−, Fungi Pseudo-hevein Para Rubber 104 Fungi Soedjanaatmadja (Minor hevin) tree (1994) Gaegurin-1 Wrinkled frog 105 Gram+ & Park (1994) Gram−, Fungi Skin peptide Two-coloured 106 Gram+ & Mor (1994) tyrosine-tyrosine leaf frog Gram−, Fungi Penaeidin-1 Penoeid shrimp 107 Gram+ & Destoumieux (2000) Gram−, Fungi Neutrophil Golden hamster 108 Gram+, Fungi Mak (1996) defensin 1 (HANP-1) Neutrophil Golden hamster 109 Gram+, Fungi Mak (1996) defensin 3 (HANP-3) Misgurin Oriental 110 Gram+ & Park (1997) weatherfish Gram−, Fungi PN-AMP Japanese 111 Gram+, Fungi Koo (1998) morning glory Histone H2B-1 Rainbow trout 112 Gram+ & Robinette (1998) (HLP-1) Gram−, Fungi (Fragment) Histone H2b-3 Rainbow trout 113 Fungi Robinette (1998) (HLP-3) (Fragment) Neutrophil Rhesus 114 Gram+ & Tang (1999) defensin 2 macaque Gram−, Fungi (RMAD-2) Termicin Pseudacanthotermes 115 Gram+, Fungi Lamberty (2001) spiniger Spingerin Pseudacanthotermes 116 Gram+ & Lamberty (2001) spiniger Gram−, Fungi Aurein 1.1 Southern bell 117 Gram+ & Rozek (2000) frog Gram−, Fungi Ponericin G! Ponerine ant 118 Gram+ & Orivel (2001) Gram−, Fungi Brevinin-1BB Rio Grande 119 Gram+ & Goraya (2000) leopard frog Gram−, Fungi Ranalexin-1CB Gree frog 120 Gram+ & Halverson (2000) Gram−, Fungi Ranatuerin-2CA Green frog 121 Gram+ & Halverson (2000) Gram−, Fungi Ranatuerin-2CB Green frog 122 Gram+ & Halverson (2000) Gram−, Fungi Ginkbilobin Ginkgo 123 Gram+ & Wang (2000) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Alpha-basrubrin Malabar spinach 124 Virus, Fungi Wang (2001) (Fragment) Pseudin 1 Paradoxical frog 125 Gram+ & Olson (2001) Gram−, Fungi Parabutoporin Scorpion 126 Gram+ & Moerman (2002) Gram−, Fungi, Mammalian cells Opistoporin 1 African yellow 127 Gram+ & Moerman (2002) leg scorpion Gram−, Fungi, Mammalian cells Opistoporin 2 African yellow 128 Gram+ & Moerman (2002) leg scorpion Gram−, Fungi, Mammalian cells Histone H2A Rainbow trout 129 Gram+, Fungi Fernandes (2002) (fragment) Dolabellanin B2 Sea hare 130 Gram+ & Iijima (2002) Gram−, Fungi Cecropin A Nocutuid moth 131 Gram+ & Bulet (2002) Gram−, Fungi HNP-5 Defensin Human 132 Gram+ & Jones (1992) Gram−, Fungi HNP-6 Defensin Human 133 Gram+ & Jones (1993) Gram−, Fungi Holotricin 3 Holotrichia 134 Fungi Lee (1995) diomphalia Lingual Bovine 135 Gram+ & Schonwetter (1995) antimicrobial Gram−, Fungi peptide RatNP-3 Rat 136 Gram+ & Yount (1995) Gram−, Virus, Fungi GNCP-1 Guinea pig 137 Gram+ & Nagaoka (1993) Gram−, Virus, Fungi Penaeidin-4a Penoeid shrimp 138 Gram+ & Destoumieux (2000) Gram−, Fungi Hexapeptide Bovine 139 Gram+ & Vogle (2002) Gram−, Virus, Fungi, Cancer cells P-18 140 Gram+ & Lee (2002) Gram−, Fungi, Cancer cells MUC7 20-Mer Human 141 Gram+ & Bobek (2003) Gram−, Fungi Nigrocin 2 Rana 142 Gram+ & Park (2001) nigromaculata Gram−, Fungi Nigrocin 1 Rana 143 Gram+ & Park (2001) nigromaculata Gram−, Fungi Lactoferrin (Lf) 144 Fungi Ueta (2001) peptide 2 Ib-AMP3 Impatiens 145 Gram+, Fungi Ravi (1997) balsamina Ib-AMP4 Impatiens 146 Gram+, Fungi Ravi (1997) balsamina Dhvar4 Synthesis 147 Gram+ & Ruissen (2002) Gram−, Fungi Dhvar5 Synthesis 148 Gram+ & Ruissen (2002) Gram−, Fungi Synthetic 149 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 150 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 151 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 152 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 153 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 154 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 155 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 156 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 157 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 158 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 159 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 160 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 161 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 162 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 163 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 164 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 165 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 166 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 167 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 168 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 169 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 170 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 171 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 172 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 173 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 174 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 175 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 176 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 177 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 178 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 179 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 180 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 181 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 182 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 183 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 184 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 185 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 186 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 187 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 188 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 189 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 190 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 191 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 192 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 193 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 194 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 195 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 196 Fungi U.S. App.10/601,207 Synthetic 197 Gram+ & U.S. App.10/601,207 Gram−, Fungi Synthetic 198 Gram+ & U.S. App.10/601,207 Gram−, Fungi Synthetic 199 Gram+ & U.S. App.10/601,207 Gram−, Fungi

In the above-referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,885,782; and 5,602,097 an iterative process was used to identify active peptide sequences with broad spectrum antifungal activity. A representative method employs a hexapeptide library with the first two amino acids in each peptide chain individually and specifically defined and with the last four amino acids consisting of equimolar mixtures of 20 amino acids. Four hundred (400) (20.sup.2) different peptide mixtures each consisting of 130,321 (19.sup.4)(cysteine was eliminated) individual hexamers were evaluated. In such a peptide mixture, the final concentration for each peptide was 9.38 ng/ml, in a mixture composed of 1.5 mg (peptide mix)/ml solution. This mixture profile assumed that an average peptide has a molecular weight of 785. This concentration was sufficient to permit testing for antifungal activity. Both D- and L-amino acid containing peptides may be constructed and tested to identify peptide compositions that can inhibit or kill fungi that can grow on the surfaces of inanimate objects. Peptide compositions comprising substantially homogeneous peptide compositions, as well as mixtures of peptides derived from amino acids that are between 3 to 25 residues in length (a length readily accomplished using standard peptide synthesis procedures), especially six residues in length, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,885,782; and 5,602,097. A preferred antifungal peptide that inhibits or kills one or more fungus that infests and grows on the surfaces of inanimate objects is a hexapeptide having the amino acid sequence Phe Arg Leu Lys Phe His (SEQ ID No. 41).

Homogeneous peptide compositions are chiefly composed of a single active peptide species of a well-defined sequence. Minor amounts (less than 20% by moles) of impurities may coexist with the peptide in these compositions so long as they do not interfere with the growth inhibitory properties of the active peptide(s). Target fungi include but are not limited to those fungi that can infest indoor and outdoor structures and building materials causing defacement (e.g., deterioration or discoloration), odor, environment hazards, and other undesirable effects. Alternatively to using one or more isolated antifungal peptides as the antifungal peptidic agent, the agent may instead be a peptide library aliquot containing a mixture of peptides in which at least two (and preferably three or four) of the N-terminal amino acid residues are known. If the peptidic agent is a mixture of peptides, at least one will have antifungal activity. As will be apparent in examples which follow, for ease of production and lower cost, in many instances it will be preferred to use a peptide library aliquot that contains at least one antifungal peptide, preferably the hexapeptide of SEQ ID No. 41, but is impure to the extent that it may also include peptides of unknown exact sequence which may or may not have antifungal activity. In addition, the peptide or peptide library may be one that has side chains blocked, is attached to the synthetic resin or both blocked and attached.

Example 2 Identifying Antifungal Peptides that Inhibit Target Organisms

The testing methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,885,782; and 5,602,097 may be employed to screen the peptide library for antifungal activity against a wide variety of fungus genera and species. Preferably the methods are modified to screen against fungal organisms that are known to, or suspected of, infesting construction materials or other vulnerable materials and surfaces. More preferably, fungal cells used for screening the peptide library include members of the genera Stachybotrys (especially Stachybotrys chartarum), Aspergillus species (sp.), Penicillium sp., Fusarium sp., Alternaria dianthicola, Aureobasidium pullulans (aka Pullularia pullulans), Phoma pigmentivora and Cladosporium sp. Cell culture conditions may also be modified appropriately to provide favorable growth and proliferation conditions, as is within the capability of one of ordinary skill in the art. The above-mentioned methods will be used to identify peptides or groups of peptides that demonstrate broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Similar methods will be used to identify particular peptides or groups of peptides that target specific fungus genera or species. Alternatively, but less preferred, any other suitable peptide/polypeptide/protein screening method could be used instead to identify antifungal peptide candidates for testing as active antifungal agents in paints and other coating materials.

It is known that certain of the peptides of particular usefulness in the coatings of the invention, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 8,885,782, exhibit variable abilities to inhibit fungal growth as adjudged by the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC mg/ml) and/or the concentrations necessary to inhibit growth of fifty percent of a population of fungal spores (IC50 mg/ml). MICs may range depending upon peptide additive and target organism from about 3 to about 300 mg/ml, while IC50's may range depending upon peptide additive and target organisms from about 2 to about 100 mg/m. Target organisms susceptible to these amounts include Fusarium oxysporum, Fusariam Sambucinum, Rhizoctonia Solani, Ceratocystis Fagacearum, Pphiostoma ulmi, Pythium ultimum, Magaporthe Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus Parasiticus.

The mode of action of antifungal peptides, polypeptides and proteins, by which they exert their inhibitory or fungicidal effects, can be varied. For instance, certain peptides may operate to destabilize fungal cell membranes, while the modes of action of others could include disruptions of macromolecular synthesis or metabolism. While the modes of action of some known antifungal peptides have been determined (see, e.g., Fiedler, H. P., et al. 1982. Nikomycins: microbial inhibitors of chitin synthase. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 32:271-280; Isono, K. and S. Suzuki. 1979. The polyoxins: pyrimidine nucleoside peptide antibiotics inhibiting fungal cell wall biosynthesis. Heterocycles 13:333-351), mechanisms which explain their modes of action and specificity have typically not yet been determined. Initial studies to elucidate antifungal mode of action of peptides involves a physical examination of mycelia and cells to determine if the peptides can perturb membrane functions responsible for osmotic balance, as has been observed for other peptides (Zasloff, M. 1987. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:5449-5453). Disruption of appressorium formation may also be the mechanism by which some peptides inhibit fungal growth (see e.g., published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/601,207, expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). For the purposes of preparing and using antifungal peptides, polypeptides and/or proteins as active antifungal agents in paints and other coating compositions, it is not necessary to understand the mechanism by which the desired antifungal effect is exerted on fungus cells.

Example 3 Varying the Amino Acid Sequence of Antifungal Peptides

For the purposes of preparing antifungal paints and other coating compositions containing antifungal peptidic agents, it should be appreciated that it is not necessary for the amino acid sequence of a peptide having demonstrable antifungal activity to be completely defined. In certain situations, especially where an antifungal peptide is being used to target an array of fungal genera or species, mixed peptide additives may be preferable. This is also likely to be the case where there is a desire to treat or prevent infestation by a particular species of fungus using lower concentrations of numerous antifungal peptides rather than a higher concentration of a single peptide. In other situations where, for instance, due to the increased cost of testing or producing a completely defined peptide antifungal peptide is prohibitive, the mixed peptide compositions having one or more variable amino acid residues may be preferred. Similarly, it may be preferable to leave synthetic peptides of the invention blocked and/or covalently attached to the synthetic resin so long as sufficient antifungal activity is exhibited in the coating. Thus, antifungal additive compositions comprising equimolar mixtures of peptides produced in a synthetic peptide combinatorial library utilizing the methods described herein and/or in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,312, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,097 may be employed as antifungal agents in paints, coatings and films.

The antifungal peptide additives for the coatings of the invention may be constructed using a variety of amino acid precursors. Of course, the peptides may be homogenous compositions containing only D-, L- or cyclic (non-racemic) amino acids. The chemical structure of such amino acids (which term is used herein to include imino acids), regardless of stereoisomeric configuration, may be based upon that of the nineteen or twenty naturally-occurring amino acids: alanine (Ala; A), arginine (Arg; R), asparagine (Asn; N), aspartate (Asp; D), glutamine (Gin; Q), glutamate (Glu; E), glycine (Gly; G), histidine (His; H), isoleucine (Iie; I), leucine (Leu; L), lysine (Lys; K), methionine (Met; M), proline (Pro; P), phenylalanine (Phe; F), serine (Ser; S), threonine (Thr; T), tryptophan (Trp; W), tyrosine (Tyr; Y), and valine (Val; V). Cysteine (Cys; C) is preferably excluded to prevent disulfide linkage problems in the products. The compositions of the invention may also be non-homogenous, containing for instance both D-, L- and/or cyclic amino acids. The peptide compositions may also contain amino acids which are other than the naturally-occurring amino acids (e.g., norleucine), as are known to those of skill in the art. The peptides may also be constructed as retroinversopeptidomimetics of any of the peptides shown to be active in either the D- or L-configurations. It is known, for instance, that the retroinversopeptidomimetic of SEQ ID No. (41) is inhibitory (albeit less so than either the D- or L-configurations) against certain household fungi such as Fusarium and Aspergillus (Guichard, 1994).

Preferred antifungal paints and coatings will comprise one or more of the peptides disclosed in SEQ ID Nos. 1-199, more preferably SEQ ID Nos. 1-47. These sequences establish a number of precise chemical compositions which have been shown to have antifungal activity against a spectrum of fungi, but which were not previously known to be useful for treating and/or protecting building materials and other non-living objects from infestation by fungi. A highly preferred antifungal peptide is the hexapeptide of SEQ ID No. 41.

In certain instances, the peptides will have completely defined sequences. In other instances, the sequence of the antifungal peptide will be defined for only certain of the C-terminal amino acid residues leaving the remaining amino acid residues defined as equimolar ratios. For example, certain of the peptides of SEQ ID Nos. 1-199 have somewhat variable amino acid compositions. Thus, in each aliquot of the SPCL containing a given SEQ ID Nos. having a variable residue, the variable residues will each be uniformly represented in equimolar amounts by one of nineteen different naturally-occurring amino acids in one or the other stereoisomeric form. However, the variable residues may be rapidly defined using the method described in one or more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 5,885,782 to identify peptides that possess activity for controlling fungal growth. In the cited patents it was demonstrated that peptides encompassed by the C-terminal sequence “XXXXRF” (SEQ ID No. 1) exhibited antifungal activity for a wide spectrum of fungi. For ease of reference, peptides herein are written in the C-terminal to N-terminal direction to denote the sequence of synthesis. However, the conventional N-terminal to C-terminal manner of reporting amino acid sequences is utilized in the Sequence Listings. This relatively variable composition, therefore, is described as an antifungal peptide even though it is likely that not every peptide encompassed by that general sequence will possess the same or any antifungal activity.

In the next round of identification of antifungal peptides encompassed by the general sequence “XXXXRF” (SEQ ID No. 1) parent composition of known antifungal activity, “XXXLRF” (SEQ ID No. 9) peptides mixtures were found to exhibit significant antibiotic activity (also disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 5,885,782). Similarly to the parent composition “XXXXRF” (SEQ ID No. 1), the “XXXLRF” (SEQ ID No. 9) peptides will have a mixed equimolar array of peptides representing the same nineteen amino acid residues, some of which may have antifungal activity and some of which may not have such activity. Overall, however, the “XXXLRF” (SEQ ID No. 9) peptide composition is itself an antifungal agent. This process is carried out to the point where completely defined peptides are produced and tested for their antifungal activity, as described in Example 2 or using any suitable method that would be known to one of skill in the art. As a result, and as was accomplished for the representative peptide “FHLRF” (SEQ ID No. 31), all amino acid residues in a six residue peptide will be known.

It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that the peptides to be employed as antifungal agents for paints, coatings and other compositions, once selected, may be modified to contain functionally equivalent amino acid substitutions and yet retain the same or similar antifungal characteristics. The importance of the hydropathic index of amino acids in conferring biological function on a protein has been discussed generally by Kyte and Doolittle, J. Mol. Biol., 157:105-132, 1982. It is well known that certain amino acids may be substituted for other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still retain similar if not identical biological activity. As displayed in Table 2 below, amino acids are assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of their hydrophobicity and charge characteristics. It is believed that the relative hydropathic character of the amino acid determines the secondary structure of the resultant protein, which in turn defines the interaction of the protein with the substrate molecule. Similarly, in peptides whose secondary structure is not a principal aspect of the interaction of the peptide, position within the peptide and the characteristic of the amino acid residue determine the interactions the peptide has in a biological system. It is proposed that biological functional equivalence may typically be maintained where amino acids having no more than a .+−0.1 to 2 difference in the index value, and more preferably within a .+−0.1 difference, are exchanged.

TABLE 2 HYDROPATHIC AMINO ACID INDEX Isoleucine 4.5 Valine 4.2 Leucine 3.8 Phenylalanine 2.8 Cysteine/Cystine 2.5 Methionine 1.9 Alanine 1.8 Glycine −0.4 Threonine −0.7 Tryptophan −0.9 Serine −0.8 Tyrosine −1.3 Proline −1.6 Histidine −3.2 Glutamic Acid −3.5 Glutamine −3.5 Aspartic Acid −3.5 Asparagine −3.5 Lysine −3.9 Arginine −4.5

Thus, it is expected that isoleucine, for example, which has a hydropathic index of +4.5, can be substituted for valine (+4.2) or leucine (+3.8), and still obtain a protein having similar biologic activity. Alternatively, at the other end of the scale, lysine (−3.9) can be substituted for arginine (−4.5), and so on. Accordingly, these amino acid substitutions are generally based on the relative similarity of R-group substituents, for example, in terms of size, electrophilic character, charge, and the like. In general, although these are not the only such substitutions, the preferred substitutions which take various of the foregoing characteristics into consideration include the following:

TABLE 3 Originally Screened Residue Exemplary Substitutions alanine gly; ser arginine lys asparagines gln; his aspartate glu cysteine ser glutamate asp glutamine asn glycine ala histidine asn; gln isoleucine leu; val leucine ile; val lysine arg; gln; glu methionine met; leu; tyr serine thr threonine ser tryptophan tyr tyrosine trp; phe valine ile; leu

Example 4 Stabilized Antifungal Peptide Compositions

A variety of modifications can be made to the peptides as long as antifungal activity is retained. Some modifications may be used to increase the intrinsic antifungal potency of the peptide. Other modifications may facilitate handling of the peptide. Peptide functional groups that may typically be modified include hydroxyl, amino, guanidinium, carboxyl, amide, phenol, imidazol rings or sulfhydryl. Typical reactions of these groups include but are not limited to acetylation of hydroxyl groups by alkyl halides. Carboxyl groups may be esterified, amidated or reduced to alcohols. Carbodiimides or other catalysts may be used to catalyze the amidation of carboxyl groups. The amide groups of asparagine or glutamine may be deamidated under acidic or basic conditions. Acylation, alkylation, arylation or amidation reactions readily occur with amino groups such as the primary amino group of the peptide or the amino group of lysine residues. The phenolic group of tyrosine can be halogenated or nitrated. Examples where solubility of a peptide could be decreased include acylating charged lysine residues or acetylating the carboxyl groups of aspartic and glutamic acids. Techniques and materials that are suitable for carrying out each of these modifications are well known in the art and have been described in the literature.

Another way in which the antifungal activity of the peptides may be stabilized in paints and other coatings and compositions is by linking or conjugation to another molecule. Peptides may be conjugated to soluble or insoluble carrier molecules to modify their solubility properties as needed. Examples of soluble carrier molecules include polymers of polyethyleneglycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Alternatively, a peptide may be chemically linked or tethered to an insoluble molecule. Examples of insoluble polymers include sand or other silicates, and polystyrene, cellulose and polyvinylchloride. Such polymers are often employed in coatings. The molecular size of the conjugated polymer chosen for conjugating with an antifungal peptide is preferably suited for carrying out the desired additional function in the coating. Techniques and materials for conjugating peptides to other molecules are well known in the art and have been described in the literature.

Still another way in which the antifungal activity may be controlled or stabilized is by microencapsulating the peptides to enhance their stability in liquid coating compositions and in the final paint film or coat. For example, polyester microspheres may be used to encapsulate and stabilize the peptides in a paint composition during storage, or to provide for prolonged, gradual release of the peptide after it is dispersed in a paint film covering a surface that is vulnerable to attachment and growth of fungal cells or spores. Any suitable microencapsulation technique as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be employed. Such encapsulation may enhance, or confer a particulate nature to, one or more antifungal peptide. The encapsulating membrane may provide protection to the peptide from peptidases, proteases, and other peptide bond or side chain modifying substances, it may serve to increase the average particle size of the antifungal peptidic agent to a desired range, and it may allow controlled release of the peptide(s) from the encapsulating material, alter surface charge, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, solubility and/or dispersability of the particulate material, or any combination of those functions. Examples of microencapsulation (e.g., microsphere) compositions and techniques are described in Wang, H. T. et al., J. of Controlled Release 17:23-25, 1991; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,324,683; 4,839,046; 4,988,623; 5,026,650; 5,153,131; 6,485,983; 5,627,021 and 6,020,312). Other microencapsulation methods which may be employed are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,827,531; 6,103,271; and 6,387,399.

Example 5 Large-Scale Production of Antifungal Peptides

An antifungal peptide sequence identified as described above may be grown in bacterial, insect, or other suitable cells employing techniques and materials that are well known in the art, except DNA encoding the antifungal peptides described herein will be used instead of a previous DNA sequence. For example, an expression vector will include a DNA sequence encoding SEQ ID No. 1 in the correct orientation and reading frame with respect to the promoter sequence to allow translation of the DNA encoding the SEQ ID No. 1. Examples of the cloning and expression of an exemplary gene and DNAs are known. Either batch culture production methods or continuous fed-batch culture methods may be employed to produce commercial-scale quantities of antifungal peptides.

Example 6 Antifungal Additives Isolated from Microorganisms

Although synthetically obtained antifungal peptidic agents (i.e., peptides, polypeptides and proteins) that are identified and produced as described above are highly preferred, it is also possible to employ suitable naturally occurring antifungal peptidic agents, and microbes that produce such agents, as additives in paints and other coatings. A number of such naturally occurring peptide additives are listed in Table 1. A drawback to this is the time-consuming process of searching for naturally produced antifungal agents with very low-probability of success. The use of natural antifungal products isolated in commercial quantity from microorganisms is also limited in usefulness due in large part to purification problems. Large-scale cell culture of the antifungal agent-producing microorganism is required for the purification of the antifungal product. In many instances, the cultural isolate responsible for the production of the antifungal agent is not an isolate which is easily batch-cultured or it is entirely incapable of batch culturing. Furthermore, complicated purification strategies are often required to purify the active product to a reasonable level of homogeneity. A substantial disadvantage to the use of naturally derived antifungal agents is the potential for co-purification of unwanted microbial byproducts, especially byproducts which are undesirably toxic. In many cases, these factors lead to high production costs and make large-scale isolation of antifungal products from natural isolates impractical. Purifications may be even more difficult where racemized mixtures are possible where only a single stereoisomer is active, or where disulfide linkages are possible between peptide monomers. Even when desirable naturally occurring antifungal proteins or polypeptides are isolated, for example, and their amino acid sequences at least partially identified, synthesis of the native molecule, or portions thereof, may be problematic due to the need for specific disulfide bond formation, high histidine requirements, and so forth. Nonetheless, natural sources provide additional sequences to be explored as coating additives.

Example 7 Coating Formulations Containing Antifungal Peptide Additives

One or more of the antifungal peptides or peptide compositions, prepared as described in any of the foregoing examples, is mixed with a base paint or other coating, which may be any suitable commercially available product, a wide variety of which are well known in the art. Preferably the base composition is free of chemicals and other additives that are toxic to humans or animals, and/or that fail to comply with applicable environmental safety rules or guidelines. In some instances, it may be preferred to custom blend a paint or coating mixture using any combination of various naturally-occurring and synthetic components and additives that are known in the art and are also described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,345 filed Sep. 4, 2003 or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/792,516 filed on Mar. 3, 2004, which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Coating components generally include a binder, a liquid component, a colorizing agent, one or more additive, or a combination of any of those. A coating typically comprises a material often referred to as a “binder,” which is the primary material in a coating capable of producing a film. In most embodiments, a coating will comprise a liquid component (e.g., a solvent, a diluent, a thinner), which often confers and/or alters the coating's Theological properties (e.g., viscosity) to ease the application of the coating to a surface. Usually a coating (e.g., a paint) will comprise a colorizing agent (e.g., a pigment), which usually functions to alter an optical property of a coating and/or film. A coating will often comprise an additive, which is a composition incorporated into a coating to (a) reduce and/or prevent the development of a physical, chemical, and/or aesthetic defect in the coating and/or film; (b) confer some additional desired property to a coating and/or film; or (c) a combination thereof. Examples of an additive include an accelerator, an adhesion promoter, an antifloating agent, an antiflooding agent, an antifoaming agent, an antioxidant, an antiskinning agent, a buffer, a catalyst, a coalescing agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a defoamer, a dehydrator, a dispersant, a drier, an electrical additive, an emulsifier, a film-formation promoter, a fire retardant, a flow control agent, a gloss aid, a leveling agent, a light stabilizer, a marproofing agent, a matting agent, a neutralizing agent, a preservative, a rheology modifier, a slip agent, a viscosity control agent, a wetting agent, or a combination thereof. The content for an individual coating additive in a coating generally is 0.0001% to 20.0%, including all intermediate ranges and combinations thereof. However, in many instances it is preferred if the concentration of a single additive in a coating comprises between 0.0001% and 10.0%, including all intermediate ranges and combinations thereof.

Some of the usual types of components of paints and coatings are summarized as follows:

Binders: oil-based (e.g., oils, alkyd resins, oleoresinous binders, and fatty acid epoxy esters; polyester resins; modified cellulose; polyamide; amidoamine; amino resins; urethanes; phenolic resins; epoxy resins; polyhydroxyether; acrylic resins; polyvinyl binders; rubber resins; bituminous; polysulfide and silicone.

Liquid Components: solvents; thinners; diluents; plasticizers; and water (e.g., hydrocarbons; oxygenated solvents; chlorinated hydrocarbons, nitrated hydrocarbons, other organic liquids)

Colorants: pigments and dyes.

Additives: preservatives (e.g., biocides/bactericides/fungicides/algaecides); wetting agents; buffers (e.g., ammonium bicarbonate, both monobasic and dibasicphosphate buffers, Trizma base and zwitterionic buffers); rheology modifiers; defoamers; catalysts (e.g., driers, acids, bases, urethane catalysts); antiskinning agents; light stabilizers; corrosion inhibitors; dehydrators; electrical additives; and anti-insect additives.

Preservatives serve to reduce or prevent the deterioration of a coating and/or film by a microorganism, by acting as a biocide, which kills an organism, a biostatic, which reduces or prevents the growth of an organism, or a combination of effects. Examples of a biocide include, for example, a bactericide, a fungicide, an algaecide, or a combination thereof.

A preferred paint or coating composition contains, as a preservative, an antifungal peptidic agent (i.e., one or more peptides, polypeptides or proteins), according to any of Examples 1-6. An antifungal peptidic agent may be used as a partial or complete substitute (“replacement”) for another fungicide and/or fungistatic that is typically used in a fungus prone composition. It is contemplated that 0.0001% to 100%, including all intermediate ranges and combinations thereof, of a conventional antifungal component in a coating formulation may be substituted by an antifungal peptidic agent. In some formulations, the concentration of antifungal peptidic agent may exceed 100%, by weight or volume, of the non-peptidic antifungal component (fungicide or fungistat) that is being replaced. A conventional non-peptidic antifungal component may be replaced with an antifungal peptidic agent equivalent to 0.001% to 500% (by weight, or by volume), including all intermediate ranges and combinations thereof, of the substituted antifungal component. For example, to produce a coating with similar fungal resistance properties as a non-substituted formulation, it may require that 20% (e.g., 0.2 kg) of a chemical fungicide may be replaced by 10% (e.g., 0.1 kg) of an antifungal peptidic agent. In another exemplary formulation, to produce a coating with similar fungal resistance as a non-substituted formulation, it may require replacing 70% of a chemical fungicide (e.g., 0.7 kg) with the equivalent of 127% (e.g., 1.27 kg) of antifungal peptidic agent. The various assays described herein, or as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, may be used to determine the fungal resistance properties of a composition (e.g., a coating, a film) produced by direct addition of an antifungal peptidic agent and/or substitution of some or all of a non-peptidic or chemical antifungal component by an antifungal peptidic agent. Such additives may be directly admixed with the coating, applied as a primer coating, applied as an overcoat, or any combination of these application techniques.

A preservative may comprise an in-can preservative, an in-film preservative, or a combination thereof. An in-can preservative is a composition that reduces or prevents the growth of a microorganism prior to film formation. Addition of an in-can preservative during a water-borne coating production typically occurs with the introduction of water to a coating composition. Typically, an in-can preservative is added to a coating composition for function during coating preparation, storage, or a combination thereof. An in-film preservative is a composition that reduces or prevents the growth of a microorganism after film formation. Oftentimes an in-film preservative is the same chemical as an in-can preservative, but added to a coating composition at a higher (e.g., two-fold) concentration for continuing activity after film formation.

Examples of preservatives that have been used in coatings include a metal compound (e.g., an organo-metal compound) biocide, an organic biocide, or a combination thereof. Examples of a metal compound biocide include barium metaborate (CAS No. 13701-59-2), which is a fungicide and bactericide; copper (II) 8-quinolinolate (CAS No. 10380-28-6), which is a fungicide; phenylmercuric acetate (CAS No. 62-38-4), tributyltin oxide (CAS No. 56-35-9), which is less preferred for use against Gram-negative bacteria; tributyltin benzoate (CAS No. 4342-36-3), which is a fungicide and bactericide; tributyltin salicylate (CAS No. 4342-30-7), which is a fungicide; zinc 2-pyridinethiol-N-oxide (CAS No. 13463-41-7), which is a fungicide; zinc oxide (CAS No. 1314-13-2), which is a fungistatic/fungicide and algaecide; a combination of zinc-dimethyldithiocarbamate (CAS No. 137-30-4) and zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (CAS No. 155-04-4), which acts as a fungicide; zinc 2-pyridinethiol-N-oxide (CAS No. 13463-41-7), which is a fungicide; a metal soap; or a combination thereof. Examples of metals comprised in a metal soap biocide include copper, mercury, tin, zinc, or a combination thereof. Examples of an organic acid comprised in a metal soap biocide include a butyl oxide, a laurate, a naphthenate, an octoate, a phenyl acetate, a phenyl oleate, or a combination thereof. It is anticipated that they peptide additives of the present invention will work in combination with or synergistically with such preservative.

An example of an organic biocide that acts as an algaecide includes 2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine (CAS No. 28159-98-0). Examples of an organic biocide that acts as a bactericide include a combination of 4,4-dimethyl-oxazolidine (CAS No. 51200-87-4) and 3,4,4-trimethyloxazolidine (CAS No. 75673-43-7); 5-hydroxy-methyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxabicylco (3.3.0.) octane (CAS No. 59720-42-2); 2(hydroxymethyl)-aminoethanol (CAS No. 34375-28-5); 2-(hydroxymethyl)-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (CAS No. 52299-20-4); hexahydro-1,3,5-triethyl-s-triazine (CAS No. 108-74-7); 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azonia-adamantane chloride (CAS No. 51229-78-8); 1-methyl-3,5,7-triaza-1-azonia-adamantane chloride (CAS No. 76902-904); p-chloro-m-cresol (CAS No. 59-50-7); an alkylamine hydrochloride; 6-acetoxy-2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane (CAS No. 828-00-2); 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS No. 26172-55-4); 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS No. 2682-20-4); 1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (CAS No. 6440-58-0); hydroxymethyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (CAS No. 27636-82-4); or a combination thereof. Examples of an organic biocide that acts as a fungicide include a parabens; 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (CAS No. 148-79-8); N-trichloromethyl-thio-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide (CAS No. 133-06-2); 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 26530-20-1); 2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-isophthalonitrile (CAS No. 1897-45-6); 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate (Cas No. 55406-53-6); N-(trichloromethyl-thio)phthalimide (Cas No. 133-07-3); tetrachloroisophthalonitrile (Cas No. 1897-45-6); potassium N-hydroxy-methyl-N-methyl-dithiocarbamate (Cas No. 51026-28-9); sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide (Cas No. 15922-78-8); or a combination thereof. Examples of a parbens include butyl parahydroxybenzoate (Cas No. 94-26-8); ethyl parahydroxybenzoate (Cas No. 120-47-8); methyl parahydroxybenzoate (Cas No. 99-76-3); propyl parahydroxybenzoate (Cas No. 94-13-3); or a combination thereof. Examples of an organic biocide that acts as an bactericide and fungicide include 2-mercaptobenzo-thiazole (Cas No. 149-30-4); a combination of 5-chloro-2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazoline (Cas No. 26172-55-4) and 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone (Cas No. 2682-20-4); a combination of 4-(2-nitrobutyl)-morpholine (Cas No. 2224-44-4) and 4,4′-(2-ethylnitrotrimethylene dimorpholine (Cas No. 1854-23-5); tetra-hydro-3,5-di-methyl-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione (Cas No. 533-74-4); potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate (Cas No. 128-03-0); or a combination thereof. An example of an organic biocide that acts as an algaecide and fungicide includes diiodomethyl-p-tolysulfone (Cas No. 20018-09-1). Examples of an organic biocide that acts as an algaecide, bactericide and fungicide include glutaraldehyde (CAS No. 111-30-8); methylenebis(thiocyanate) (Cas No. 6317-18-6); 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane (CAS No. 35691-65-7); 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5); 2-(thiocyanomethyl-thio)benzothiazole (CAS No. 21564-17-0); or a combination thereof. An example of an organic biocide that acts as an algaecide, bactericide, fungicide and molluskicide includes 2-(thiocyanomethyl-thio)benzothiozole (CAS No. 21564-17-0) and methylene bis(thiocyanate) (CAS No. 6317-18-6).

In certain situations of use, an applicable environmental law or regulation may encourage the selection of an organic biocide such as a benzisothiazolinone derivative. An example of a benzisothiazolinone derivative is Busan™ 1264 (Buckman Laboratories, Inc.), Proxel™ GXL (Avecia Inc.), or Preventol™ VP 00 3068 (Bayer Corporation), which comprises 1,2-benzisothiazolinone (CAS No. 2634-33-5). In the case of Busan™ 1264, the primary use is a bactericide and/or fungicide at 0.03% to 0.5% in a water-borne coating.

Often, a preservative is a proprietary commercial formulation and/or a compound sold under a tradename. Examples include organic biocides under the tradename Nuosept™ (International Specialty Products), which are typically used in a water-borne coating. Specific examples of a Nuosept™) biocide includes Nuosept™ 95, which comprises a mixture of bicyclic oxazolidines, and is typically added to 0.2% to 0.3% concentration to a coating composition; Nuosept™ 145, which comprises an amine reaction product, and is typically added to 0.2% to 0.3% concentration to a coating composition; Nuosept™ 166, which comprises 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine (CAS No. 51200-87-4), and is typically added to 0.2% to 0.3% concentration to a basic pH water-borne coating composition; or a combination thereof. A further example is Nuocide™ (International Specialty Products) biocides, which are typically used fungicides and/or algaecides. Examples of a Nuocide™ biocide is Nuocide™ 960, which comprises 96% tetrachlorisophthalonitrile (CAS No. 1897-45-6), and is typically used at 0.5% to 1.2% in a water-borne or solvent-borne coating as a fungicide; Nuocide™ 2010, which comprises chlorothalonil (CAS No. 1897-45-6) and IPBC (CAS No. 55406-53-6) at 30%, and is typically used at 0.5% to 2.5% in a coating as a fungicide and algaecide; Nuocide™ 1051 and Nuocide™ 1071, each which comprises 96% N-cyclopropyl-N-(1-dimethylethyl)-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-d-iamine (CAS No. 28159-98-0), and is typically used as an algaecide in antifouling coatings at 1.0% to 6.0% or water-based coatings at 0.05% to 0.2%, respectively; and Nuocide™) 2002, which comprises chlorothalonil (CAS No. 1897-45-6) and a triazine compound at 30%, and is typically used at 0.5% to 2.5% in a coating and/or a film as a fungicide and algaecide.

An additional example of a tradename biocide for coatings includes Vancide™ (R. T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc.). Examples of a Vancide™ biocide include Vancide™ TH, which comprises hexahydro-1,3,5-triethyl-s-triazine (CAS No. 108-74-7), and is generally used in a water-borne coating; Vancide™ 89, which comprises N-trichloromethylthio-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide (CAS No. 133-06-2) and related compounds such as captan (CAS No. 133-06-2), and is used as a fungicide in a coating composition; or a combination thereof. A bactericide and/or fungicide for coatings, particularly a water-borne coating, is a Dowicil™ (Dow Chemical Company). Examples of a Dowicil™ biocide include Dowicil™ i-20, which comprises 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (CAS No. 10222-01-2), and is used as a bactericide at 100 ppm to 2000 ppm in a coating; Dowicil™ 75, which comprises 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride (CAS No. 51229-78-8), and is used as a bactericide at 500 ppm to 1500 ppm in a coating; Dowicil™ 96, which comprises 7-ethyl bicyclooxazolidine (CAS No. 7747-35-5), and is used as a bactericide at 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm in a coating; Bioban™ CS-1135, which comprises 4,4-dimethyloxazolidine (CAS No. 51200-87-4), and is used as a bactericide at 100 ppm to 500 ppm in a coating; or a combination thereof. An additional example of a tradename biocide for coatings includes Kathon™ (Rohm and Haas Company). An example of a Kathon™ biocide includes Kathon™ LX, which typically comprises 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS no 26172-55-4) and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CAS no 2682-20-4) at 1.5%, and is added from 0.05% to 0.15% in a coating. Examples of tradename fungicides and algaecides include those described for Fungitrol™ (International Specialty Products), which are often formulated for solvent-borne and water-borne coatings, and in-can and film preservation. An example is Fungitrol™ 158, which comprises 15% tributyltin benzoate (CAS No. 4342-36-3) (15%) and 21.2% alkylamine hydrochlorides, and is typically used at 0.35% to 0.75% in a water-borne coating for in-can and film preservation. An additional example is Fungitrol™ 11, which comprises N-(trichloromethylthio) phthalimide (CAS No. 133-07-3), and is typically used at 0.5% to 1.0% as a fungicide for solvent-borne coating. A further example is Fungitrol™ 400, which comprises 98% 3-iodo-2-propynl N-butyl carbamate (“IPBC”) (Cas No. 55406-53-6), and is typically used at 0.15% to 0.45% as a fungicide for a water-borne or a solvent-borne coating. See Table 4.

TABLE 4 Company Product Roster Arch Chemicals, Inc. Zinc Ornadine (Zinc Pyrithione/fungicide/algaecide) 800.344.9168/Fax: 203.271.4060 Sodium Omadine (Sodium Pyrithione/ E-mail: sales@archbiocides.com fungicide/algaecide) www.archbiocides.com Copper Omadine (Copper Pyrithione/algaecide) Triadine 174 (Triazine/bactericide) Omacide IPBC (Iodopropynyl-butyl carbomate/fungicide) Other: antifouling agents Avecia Protection & Hygiene Proxel GXL (BIT) Wilmington, DE Proxel BDZO (BIT) 800.523.7391/Fax: 302.477.8120 Proxel BZ (BIT/ZPT) E-mail: biocides@avecia.com Proxel TN (BIT/Triazine) www.avecia.com/biocides Proxel XL2 (BIT) Densil C404 (Chlorthalonil) Densil P (Densil P) Densil DN (BUBIT) Vantocil IB (PHMB) BASF Corp. Myacide AS Technical (Bronopol, solid) Mount Olive, NJ Myacide AS 2, 30 and 15 (Bronopol, solutions) 973.426.4358/Fax: 973.426.3863 Myacide GDA Technical (50% Glutaraldehyde) www.biocides.basf-corp.com Myacide GA 42, 26 & 15 (Glutaraldehyde, solut.) Protectol PE (Phenoxyethanol, liquid) Daomet Technical (Dazoment, solid) Myacide HT Technical (Triazine, liquid) Buckman Laboratories, Inc. Busan (wood preservative/pkg. pres.) Memphis, TN Butrol (corrosion inhibitor/rust inhibitor) E-mail: knetix@buckman.com Busan (bactericide; mold inhibitor and biocide) Cognis Corp. Nopcocide N400 (Cholorthalonil-40% solution) Ambler, PA Nopcocide N-98 (Chlorothalonil-100% 800.445.2207/Fax: 215.628.1111 Nopcocide P-20 (IPBC-20% solution) E-mail: Nopcocide P-40 (IPBC-40% solution) shruti.singhal@cognis.com Nopcocide P-100 (IPBC-100% active) www.cognis.com International Specialty Fungitrol (fungicides) Products aka ISP Biotrend (biocides) Wayne, NJ Nuocide (fungicides/algaecides 800.622.4423/Fax: 973.628.4001 Nuosept (antimicrobial agents) E-mail: info@ispcorp.com www.ispcorp.com Rohm and Haas Company Katon LX 1.5% (preservative) Philadelphia, PA Rocima 550 (preservative) www.rohmhaas.com Rocima 607 (preservative) Rozone 2000 (dry film fungicide) Skane M-8 (dry film fungicide) Troy Corp. Polyphase 678 Florham Park, NJ Polyphase 663 Fax: 973.443.0843 Polyphase CST E-mail: marketing@troycorp.com Polyphase 641 www.troycorp.com Troysan 680 Mergal K10N

As would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, determination of whether damage to a coating and/or film is due to microorganisms (e.g., film algal defacement, film fungal defacement), as well as the efficacy of addition of a preservative to a coating and/or film composition in reducing microbial damage to a coating and/or film, may be empirically determined by techniques such as those that are described in “ASTM Book of Standards, Volume 06.01, Paint—Tests for Chemical, Physical, and Optical Properties; Appearance,” D3274-95, D4610-98, D2574-00, D3273-00, D3456-86, D5589-97, and D5590-00, 2002; and in “Paint and Coating Testing Manual, Fourteenth Edition of the Gardner-Sward Handbook,” (Koleske, J. V. Ed.), pp. 654-661, 1995. Examples of microorganisms typically selected in such procedures as positive controls of a coating and/or film damaging microorganism include, for example, Aspergillus oryzae (ATCC 10196), Aspergillus flavus (ATCC 9643), Aspergillus niger (ATCC 9642), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145), Aureobasidium pullulans (ATCC 9348), Penicillium citrinum (ATCC 9849), Penicillium funiculosum (ATCC 9644), or a combination thereof.

In general, a preservative, and use of a preservative in a coating, is known to those of skill in the art, and all such materials and techniques for using a preservative in a coating may be applied in the practice of the present invention (see, for example, Flick, E. W. “Handbook of Paint Raw Materials, Second Edition,” 263-285 and 879-998, 1989; in “Paint and Coating Testing Manual, Fourteenth Edition of the Gardner-Sward Handbook,” (Koleske, J. V. Ed.), pp 261-267 and 654-661, 1995; in “Paint and Surface Coatings, Theory and Practice, Second Edition,” (Lambourne, R. and Strivens, T. A., Eds.), pp. 193-194, 371-382 and 543-547, 1999; Wicks, Jr., Z. W., Jones, F. N., Pappas, S. P. “Organic Coatings, Science and Technology, Volume 1: Film Formation, Components, and Appearance,” pp. 318-320, 1992; Wicks, Jr., Z. W., Jones, F. N., Pappas, S. P. “Organic Coatings, Science and Technology, Volume 2: Applications, Properties and Performance,” pp. 145, 309, 319-323 and 340-341, 1992; in “Paints, Coatings and Solvents, Second, Completely Revised Edition,” (Stoye, D. and Freitag, W., Eds.) pp 6, 127 and 165, 1998; and in “Handbook of Coatings Additives”, pp. 177-224, 1987).

It is contemplated that any previously described formulation of a fungal-prone composition may be modified to incorporate an antifungal peptidic agent. Examples of described coating compositions include over 200 industrial water-borne coating formulations (e.g., air dry coatings, air dry or force air dry coatings, anti-skid of non-slip coatings, bake dry coatings, clear coatings, coil coatings, concrete coatings, dipping enamels, lacquers, primers, protective coatings, spray enamels, traffic and airfield coatings) described in “Industrial water-based paint formulations,” 1988, over 550 architectural water-borne coating formulations (e.g., exterior paints, exterior enamels, exterior coatings, interior paints, interior enamels, interior coatings, exterior/interior paints, exterior/interior enamels, exterior/interior primers, exterior/interior stains), described in “Water-based trade paint formulations,” 1988, the over 400 solvent borne coating formulations (e.g., exterior paints, exterior enamels, exterior coatings, exterior sealers, exterior fillers, exterior primers, interior paints, interior enamels, interior coatings, interior primers, exterior/interior paints, exterior/interior enamels, exterior/interior coatings, exterior/interior varnishes) described in “Solvent-based paint formulations,” 1977; and the over 1500 prepaint specialties and/or surface tolerant coatings (e.g., fillers, sealers, rust preventives, galvanizers, caulks, grouts, glazes, phosphatizers, corrosion inhibitors, neutralizers, graffiti removers, floor surfacers) described in Prepaint Specialties and Surface Tolerant Coatings, by Ernest W. Flick, Noyes Publications, 1991.

An exemplary exterior gloss alkyd house paint that comprises an antifungal peptidic agent is as follows in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Component Weight or Volume Grind: first alkyd 232.02 lb or 29.9 gallons  second alkyd 154.2 lb or 20 gallons   aliphatic solvent: duodecane 69.55 lb or 1.7 gallons  lecithin  7.8 lb or 0.91 gallons TiO₂ 185.25 lb or 5.43 gallons  10 micron silica 59.59 lb or 2.7 gallons  bentonite clay 18.00 lb or 1.44 gallons  second alkyd 97.22 lb or 12.61 gallons first alkyd 69.84 lb or 9.00 gallons  antifungal peptidic agent - effective amount/up to optionally, in combination with 7.8 lb or 0.82 gallons a conventional mildewcide Letdown: aliphatic solvent: dudecane) 19.50 lb or 3.00 gallons  first drier: 12% solution cobalt) 2.00 lb or 0.23 gallons second drier: 18% solution Zr) 2.92 lb or 0.32 gallons third drier: 10% solution Ca) 8.00 lb or 0.98 gallons Anti skinning agent: methyl ethyl ketoxime 3.22 lb or 0.42 gallons aliphatic solvent 9.75 lb or 1.50 gallons

A preferred exterior flat latex house paint comprising an antifungal peptidic agent will contain the following components, listed in typical order of addition in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Component Weight or Volume water 244.5 lb or 29.47 gallons hydroxyethylcellulose   3 lb or 0.34 gallons glycols   60 lb or 6.72 gallons polyacrylate dispersant  6.8 lb or 0.69 gallons antifungal Peptidic Agent effective amount up to optionally, other biocide(s) 10 lb or 1 gallon  non-ionic surfactant   1 lb or 0.11 gallons titanium oxide  225 lb or 6.75 gallons silicate mineral  160 lb or 7.38 gallons calcined clay   50 lb or 2.28 gallons acrylic latex, @ 60% 302.9 lb or 34.42 gallons coalescent  9.3 lb or 1.17 gallons defoamers   2 lb or 0.26 gallons ammonium hydroxide  2.2 lb or 0.29 gallons 2.5% HEC solution   76 lb or 9.12 gallons antifungal peptidic agent  1.8 lb or 0.82 gallons

From these representative formulations, it will be readily appreciated that a wide variety of paints and other coating compositions may be improved by addition of an antifungal peptidic agent. Some of these include industrial water-borne coating formulations (e.g., air dry coatings, air dry or force air dry coatings, anti-skid of non-slip coatings, bake dry coatings, clear coatings, coil coatings, concrete coatings, dipping enamels, lacquers, primers, protective coatings, spray enamels, traffic and airfield coatings); architectural water-borne coating formulations (e.g., exterior paints, exterior enamels, exterior coatings, interior paints, interior enamels, interior coatings, exterior/interior paints, exterior/interior enamels, exterior/interior primers, and exterior/interior stains); solvent borne coating formulations (e.g., exterior paints, exterior enamels, exterior coatings, exterior sealers, exterior fillers, exterior primers, interior paints, interior enamels, interior coatings, interior primers, exterior/interior paints, exterior/interior enamels, exterior/interior coatings, and exterior/interior varnishes); and prepaint specialties and/or surface tolerant coatings (e.g., fillers, sealers, rust preventives, galvanizers, caulks, grouts, glazes, phosphatizers, corrosion inhibitors, neutralizers, graffiti removers and floor surfacers).

An antifungal paint or coating containing an antifungal peptidic agent may then be tested and used as described elsewhere herein, or the product may be employed for any other suitable purpose as would be recognized by one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. For instance, the physical properties (e.g., purity, density, solubility, volume solids and/or specific gravity, rheology, viscometry, and particle size) of the resulting antifungal liquid paint or other coating product, can be assessed using standard techniques that are known in the art and/or as described in PAINT AND COATING TESTING MANUAL, 14.sup.th ed. of the Gardner-Sward Handbook, J. V. Koleske, Editor (1995), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Ann Arbor, Mich., and applicable published ASTM test methods. Alternatively, any other suitable testing method as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosures, may be employed for assessing physical properties of the paint or coating mixture containing an above-described antifungal peptide additive.

Example 8 Inhibition of In-Can Mold Growth by Antifungal Peptides

As mentioned in the background discussion, the quality of a liquid coating mixture may suffer markedly if microorganisms degrade one or more of the components during storage. Since many of the coating products in use today contain ingredients that make it susceptible or prone to fungal infestation and growth, it is common practice to include a preservative. Although bacterial contamination may be a contributing factor, fungi are typically a primary cause of deterioration of a liquid paint or coating. Foul odor, discoloration, thinning and clumping of the product, and other signs of deterioration of components render the product commercially unattractive and/or unsatisfactory for the intended purpose. If the container will be opened and closed a number of times after its initial use, in some instances over a period of several months or years, it will inevitably be inoculated with ambient fungus organisms or spores subsequent to purchase by the consumer.

To avoid spoilage, it is especially desirable to ensure that the product will remain stable and usable for the foreseeable duration of storage and use by enhancing the long-term antifungal properties of the paint or coating with an antifungal peptide agent. The in-can stability and prospective shelf life of a paint or coating mixture containing an above-described antifungal peptide agent may be assessed using any appropriate testing method as would be known to one of skill in the art using conventional microbiological techniques. A fungus known to infect paints or other coatings is preferably employed as the test organism.

Example 9 Testing Protocols for Evaluating Antifungal Coatings

One suitable assay protocol for evaluating coatings containing an antifungal peptide is described by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in D-5590-94 (“Standard Test Method for Determining the Resistance of Paint Films and Related Coatings to Fungal Defacement by Accelerated Four-Week Agar Plate Assay”), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The test method is modified as indicated below, and generally comprises:

(a) preparing a set of four 1.times.10 cm aluminum coupons approximately 1/32 in thick are prepared as follows: (1) blank Al coupon; (2) Al coupon coated with an aqueous solution of a peptide produced and identified as described in the preceding examples, and allowed to dry; (3) Al coupon coated on both sides with a base paint composition, allowed to dry, and then the paint film is coated with a like amount of the same test peptide solution as applied to coupon 2; and (4) Al coupon painted with a paint mixture containing the same base paint composition as for coupon 3 and a like amount of the peptide, as for coupons 2 and 3. Preferably duplicate or triplicate sets of these specimens are prepared. Optionally, a conventional biocide may be included as a positive control. The base paint composition may be any suitable water-based latex paint, without biocides, which is available from a number of commercial suppliers.

(b) Each of the specimens from (a) is placed on a bed of nutrient agar and uniformly innoculated with a fungal suspension. A preferred test organism is Fusarium oxysporum. The fungal suspension may be applied by atomizer or by pipet, however a thin layer of nutrient agar mixed with the fungal innoculum is preferred.

(c) The specimens are incubated at about 28.degree. C. under 85 to 90% relative humidity for 4 weeks.

(d) Fungal growth on each specimen is preferably rated weekly as follows: None=0; traces of growth (<10% coverage)=1; light growth (10-30%)=2; moderate growth (30-60%)=3; and heavy growth (60% to complete coverage)=4.

Another suitable assay protocol for testing the antifungal properties of a coating or paint film containing an antifungal peptide is described by the ASTM in D-5590-94 (“Standard Test Method for Resistance to Growth of Mold on the Surface of Interior Coatings in an Environmental Chamber”), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The testing protocol generally includes

(a) Preparation of the Coated Surface. Duplicate or triplicate sets of approximately ½ in. thick, 3.times.4 in. untreated wooden or gypsum board panels are prepared as follows: (1) blank panel; (2) coated with an aqueous solution of a peptide produced and identified as described in the preceding examples, and allowed to dry; (3) coated on both sides with a base paint composition, allowed to dry, and then the paint film is coated with a like amount of the same test peptide solution as applied to panel 2; and (4) painted with a paint mixture containing the same base paint composition as for panel 3 and a like amount of the peptide, as for panels 2 and 3. Optionally, a conventional biocide may be included as a positive control.

(b) Contamination. The panels are randomly arranged and suspended in an environmental cabinet above moist soil that has been inoculated with the desired fungus, preferably Fusarium oxysporum. Enough free space is provided to allow free circulation of air and avoiding contact between the panels and the walls of the cabinet.

(c) Incubation. The panels are incubated for two weeks at 30.5-33.5.degree. C. and 95-98% humidity.

(d) Scoring. A set of panels (test, control, and, optionally, a positive control) are removed for analysis at intervals, preferably weekly. The mold growth on the specimen panels is rated as described above.

Alternatively, one or more equivalent testing protocols may be employed, and field tests of coating compositions containing laboratory-identified antifungal peptides or candidate peptides may be carried out in accordance with conventional methods as would be known to those of skill in the art.

Example 10 Latex Paints with Antifungal Peptidic Agents

Both the interior latex (Olympic Premium, flat, ultra white, 72001) and acrylic paints (Sherwin Williams DTM, primer/finish, white, B66W1; 136-1500) appeared to be toxic to both Fusarium and Aspergillus. Therefore, eight individual wells (48-well microtito plate) of each paint type were extracted on a daily basis with 1 ml of phosphate buffer for 5 days (1-4 & 6) and then allowed the plates were allowed to dry before running the assay. Each well contained 16 ul of respective paint.

Extract Testing:

The extract from two wells each of the two paints for each day was tested for toxicity by mixing the extract 1:1 with 2.times. medium and inoculating with spores (10E4) of Aspergillus or Fusarium. The extracts had no affect on growth of either test fungus.

Well Testing:

The extracted and non-extracted wells for each of the paints were tested with a range of inoculum levels in growth medium using the two different fungi. For Fusarium the range was 10E1-10E4 and for Aspergillus 10E2-10E5.

Well Testing of Acrylic Paint Plates:

Both Fusarium and Aspergillus grew in all extracted wells at all inoculum levels. Only Aspergillus grew in non-extracted wells at the 10E5 level and not at lower levels indicative of an inherent biocidal capability.

Well Testing of Latex Paint Plates:

Fusarium grew in the extracted wells only at the 10E4 inoculum level but not at 10E1-10E3. Aspergillus grew in all extracted wells showing an inoculum level effect. No growth was observed for either Fusarium or Aspergillus in non-extracted wells.

Conclusion:

Extraction of the toxic factor(s) found in both paints was possible. However, it appeared that it may be less extractable from the latex paint.

Evaluation of Peptide Activity in Presence of Acrylic and Latex Paints

It was established that it was possible to extract both acrylic and latex paints dried in a 48-well format to make them non-toxic to the test microorganisms—Fusarium and Aspergillus. Using that information an experiment was designed to determine the effect the paint has on peptide activity against two test organisms.

Experimental Design:

1. Coat 48-well plastic plates with 16 μl of acrylic or latex paint. Dry for two days under hood.

2. Extract designated wells with 1-ml phosphate buffer changing the buffer on a daily basis for 7 days. Control wells were not extracted to confirm paint toxicity.

3. Add 2 0 mu.l of peptide series in duplicate to designated dry paint coated wells. Peptide, SEQ ID No. 41, series were added in a two-fold dilution series to wells and allowed to dry. The concentration of peptide added ranged from 200 mu.g/20 mu.l to 1.5 mu.g/20 mu.l.

Inoculated Paint-Coated Plates as Follows:

1. Extracted control wells received 180 mu.l of medium +20 mu.l of spore suspension (10.sup.4 spores/20 .mu.l of medium). Inoculum was either Fusarium or Aspergillus in each case.

2. Non-extracted control wells received 180 mu.l of medium+20 mu.l of spore suspension (10sup.4 spores/20 mu.l of medium).

3. Extract wells with dried peptide series received 180 mu.l of medium+20 mu.l of spore suspension (10.sup.4 spores/20 mu.l of medium). In duplicate.

4. Extract wells that did not have dried peptide series received 160 .mu.l of medium-F20 .mu.l of spore suspension (10.sup.4/20 mu.l of medium)-F20 .mu.l peptide series as above. In duplicate.

5. Plates were observed for growth over a 5-day period.

Growth and Peptide Controls:

1. Use sterile non-paint coated 48 well plastic plates

2. Growth control wells for each test fungus received 180 .mu.l of medium+20 .mu.l of spore suspension (10.sup.4 spores/20 mu.l of medium).

3. Peptide activity controls received 160 mu.l of medium-F20 mu.l of spore suspension (10.sup.4 spores/20 mu.l of medium)-F20 mu.l peptide series as above. Peptide series were added in a two-fold dilution series to wells and range from 200 .mu.g/20 mu.l to 1.5 mu.g/20 mu.l. Therefore, the range of peptide tested was 200 .mu.g/200 mu.l or 1.0 mu.g/.mu.l (1000 mu.g/ml) to 0.0075 mu.g/.mu.l (7.5 mu.g/ml).

4. Uninoculated medium served as blank for absorbance readings taken at 24,48,72,96 and 120 h.

Results:

Unextracted wells containing either latex or acrylic paint inhibited growth of both Fusarium and Aspergillus. Extracted wells containing either latex or acrylic paint allowed growth of both Fusarium and Aspergillus.

The calculated MIC for Fusarium in peptide activity control experiments was 15.62 mu.g/ml. For Aspergillus the calculated MIC was 61.4 mu.g/ml.

For extracted acrylic-coated plates the following results were obtained.

Controls as stated in above.

For Fusarium with dried peptide, inhibition was seen at 1000 and 500 mu.g/ml after 5 days. Spores exposed to liquid peptide added to dry paint wells were inhibited at 1000, 500 and 250 mu.g/ml after 4 days, and 1000 and 500 mu.g/ml after 5 days.

For Aspergillus with dried peptide, inhibition was seen at 1000 mu.g/ml after 5 days. Spores exposed to liquid peptide added to dry paint wells were inhibited at 1000 and 500 mu.g/ml after 5 days.

For extracted latex-coated plates the following results were obtained.

Controls as stated above.

For Fusarium with dried peptide, inhibition was seen at 1000 mu.g/ml after 5 days. Spores exposed to liquid peptide added to dry paint wells were inhibited at 1000 .mu.g/ml after 5 days.

For Aspergillus with dried peptide, inhibition was seen at 1000 mu.g/ml after 5 days. Spores exposed to liquid peptide added to dry paint wells were inhibited at 1000 .mu.g/ml after 5 days.

Example 11 Coating a Surface to Inhibit Fungus Infestation and Growth

When anchorage, food and moisture are available, fungus microorganisms are able to survive where temperatures permit. Particularly susceptible surfaces include porous materials such as stone, brick, wall board (Sheetrock®) and ceiling tiles; and semi-porous materials, including concrete, unglazed tile, stucco, grout, painted surfaces, roofing tiles, shingles, painted or treated wood and textiles. Any type of indoor or outdoor object, structure or material that is capable of providing anchorage, food and moisture to fungal cells is potentially vulnerable to infestation with mold, mildew or other fungus. Moisture generally appears due to condensation on surfaces that are at or below the dew point for a given relative humidity. To inhibit or prevent fungus infestation and growth, one or more antifungal peptidic agents from Example 1 or 3-6, preferably approximately 250-1000 mg/L of the hexapeptide of SEQ ID No. 41, is dissolved or suspended in water and applied by simply brushing or spraying the solution onto a pre-painted surface such as an exterior wall that is susceptible to mold infestation. Conventional techniques for applying or transferring a coating material to a surface are well known in the art and are suitable for applying the antifungal peptide composition. The selected peptides have activity for inhibiting or preventing the growth of one or more target fungi. The applied peptide solution is then dried on the painted surface, preferably by allowing it to dry under ambient conditions. If desired, drying can be facilitated with a stream of warm, dry air. Optionally, the application procedure may be repeated one or more times to increase the amount of antifungal peptide that is deposited per unit area of the surface. As a result of the treatment, when the treated surface is subsequently subjected to the target mold organisms or spores and growth promoting conditions comprising humidity above about typical indoor ambient humidity, presence of nutrients, and temperature above about typical indoor ambient temperature and not exceeding about 38.degree. C., the ability of the surface to resistance fungal infestation and growth is enhanced compared to its pre-painted condition before application of the antifungal peptide.

A simple spray-coated surface may not provide sufficient durability for certain applications such as surfaces that are exposed to weathering. Longer-term protection may be provided against adhesion and growth of mold by mixing one or more of the antifungal peptides with a base paint or other coating composition, which may be any suitable, commercially available product as are well known in the art. Preferably the base composition is free of chemicals and other additives that are toxic to humans or animals, and/or that fail to comply with applicable environmental safety rules or guidelines. The typical components, additives and properties of conventional paints and coating materials, and film-forming techniques, are well known in the art and are also described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,345 filed Sep. 4, 2003 and U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/792,516 filed Mar. 3, 2004, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

If additional, long-term protection against growth and adhesion of mold, mildew and fungus is desired, the paint or other coating composition may include a barrier material that resists moisture penetration and also prevents or deters penetration and adhesion of the microorganisms and the airborne contaminants which serve as food for the growing organisms. Some typical water repellent components are acrylic, siliconates, metal-stearates, silanes, siloxane and paraffinic waxes. The user will preferably take additional steps to deter mold infestation include avoiding moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration and flooding, and taking reasonable steps to avoid buildup of organic matter on the treated surface.

Example 12 Method of Treating a Fungus-Infested Surface

Although it is preferred that in situations where existing fungal growth is present, the mold colonies and spores are first removed or substantially eliminated before application of one of the present antifungal coatings, it is expected that in some situations an antifungal compositions will be applied to existing mold infected surfaces. In this case, the composition, containing one or more antifungal peptides, may inhibit, arrest the growth of, or substantially eradicate the mold. Early detection and treatment is highly preferred in order to minimize the associated discoloration or other deterioration of the underlying surface due to mold growth. The treatment procedure may consist of simply applying one or more coats of an antifungal peptide solution, paint or other coating composition as described above in Example 11.

Example 13 Method of Impregnating a Porous Substrate to Inhibit Fungus Growth

Porous or semi-porous objects or materials such as paper, fabrics, carpet, some types of stone, and many other items that are employed indoors or outdoors, have internal surface areas that can be susceptible to infestation by mold and are very difficult to treat effectively by conventional methods. It is within the scope of the present invention to impregnate such porous objects with a coating material containing one or more antifungal peptide, as described in one or more of the preceding examples. The liquidity of the composition is such that it is capable of penetrating into the pores of the object. In this way, an effective amount of the antifungal peptide is deposited on the internal surfaces as well as the exterior ones. Circumstances requiring treatment of a porous surface may benefit from using a relatively thin coating material rather than a thick, pigmented paint, in order to facilitate penetration of the pores.

Example 14 Coating a Fruit or Grain Storage Vessel to Inhibit Mold

The interior walls of grain silos or other fruit or grain storage or transportation tanks are coated with a peptidic antifungal composition of Example 12 or 13 to deter the attachment and growth of mold organisms inside the container. By selecting antifungal peptides that target specific organisms, and are non-toxic to humans or animals, mold contamination of a wide variety of agricultural products may be deterred.

Example 15 Use of Antifungal/Anti-Bacterial Peptides

Over the past decade, outbreaks of food poisoning and hospital-acquired infections by so-called “super bugs” have become increasingly frequent. These are strains of bacteria that are resistant to conventional antibiotics, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vero-cytotoxin producing variants of Escherichia coli. Worldwide public concern about hygienic surfaces have also been heightened today due to the emergence and spread of new viral infections such as SARS. The current proliferation of antimicrobial cleaners, utensils, food preparation surfaces and coating systems aimed at fulfilling the demands of an increasingly hygiene conscious public are a testament to those widespread concerns.

Some of the antifungal peptides, particularly the 8-10 amino acid residue long peptides also have the property of inhibiting the growth of bacteria, including disease-causing bacteria such as Staphalococcus and Streptococcus. Thus, it is known that peptides such as 41, 197, 198, and 199, can inhibit growth of E. amylovora, E. carotovora, E. coli, R. solanocerum, S. aureus, and S. faecalis in standard media at IC50's of between 10-1100 mg/ml and MIC's of between 20-1700 mg/ml. Staphalococcus and Streptococcus bacteria are of special concern in hospital environments where antibiotic resistance is increasingly common. A multipurpose paint or coating is prepared by combining one or more antifungal peptide selected as described in any of Examples 1-6 with one or more antibacterial peptide. One such combination is the peptide of SEQ ID No. 41 and the peptide of SEQ ID No. 41. Alternatively a peptide is selected with both antifungal and antibacterial peptides 6-10. Paints and other coatings containing the antifungal/antibacterial peptides will be applied to surfaces to lend antifungal and anti-bacterial properties to those surfaces. It is expected that the use of these and other antifungal/antibacterial peptidic agents will avoid the problem human toxicity that is associated with conventional biocidal compounds in today's paints and coatings. The advantage of combined antifungal and antibacterial activity will find particular usefulness in hospital environments and other health care settings.

Example 16 Combined Use of Antifungal Peptides and Other Antimicrobials

A paint composition containing one or more conventional antifungal substance may be modified by addition of one or more of the antifungal peptides described herein. As described in preceding examples, the antifungal peptidic agent may be a single peptide of precisely known sequence, preferably the hexapeptide of SEQ ID No. 198 or an antifungal/antibacterial peptide as described in Example 15. Alternatively, the peptidic agent may be a peptide library aliquot containing a mixture of peptides in which at least two (and preferably three or four) of the N-terminal amino acid residues are known. If the peptidic agent is a mixture of peptides, one or more peptide will have antifungal activity.

Combining a non-peptidic antifungal agent with one or more antifungal peptide may provide antifungal activity over and above that seen with either the peptide(s) or the non-peptidic agent alone. The expected additive inhibitory activity of the combination is calculated by summing the inhibition levels of each component alone. The combination is then tested on the test organism to derive an observed additive inhibition. If the observed additive inhibition is greater than that of the expected additive inhibition, synergy is exhibited. More specifically, a synergistic combination of an antifungal peptide, or an aliquot of a peptide library containing at least one antifungal peptide, occurs when two or more fungal cell growth-inhibitory substances distinct from the peptide or peptide library aliquot are observed to be more inhibitory to the growth of a test organism than the sum of the inhibitory activities of the individual components alone.

A testing method for determining additive or synergistic combinations comprises first creating a synthetic peptide combinatorial library. Each aliquot of the library represents an equimolar mixture of peptides in which at least the two C-terminal amino acid residues are known. Using the testing methods described in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,312, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,782, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,097 it is possible to determine for each such aliquot of the synthetic peptide combinatorial library, a precisely calculated concentration at which it will inhibit a test fungus in a coating. Next, the aliquot of the synthetic peptide combinatorial library is mixed with at least one non-peptide antifungal compound to create a test mixture. As with the peptide component of the mixture, the baseline ability of the non-peptide antifungal substance to inhibit the test fungus is determined initially. Next, the test fungus is contacted with the test mixture, and the inhibition of growth of the test organism is measured as compared to at least one untreated control. More controls are desirable, such as a control for each individual component of the mixture. Similarly, where there are more than two components being tested, the number of controls to be used must be increased in a manner well known to those of skill in the art of growth inhibition testing. From the separate test results for the peptidic and non-peptidic agents the expected additive effect on inhibition of growth is determined using standard techniques. After the growth inhibition tests are complete for the combination of peptidic and non-peptidic agents, the actual or observed effect on the inhibition of growth is determined. The expected additive effect and the observed effect are then compared to determine whether a synergistic inhibition of growth of the test fungus has occurred. The methods used to detect synergy may utilize non-peptide antimicrobial agents in combination with the inhibitory peptides described above.

As described above, an antifungal peptidic agent may be used in combination with one or more existing fungicides and/or fungistatics identified herein or as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is expected that some such combinations of the antifungal peptidic agent with another fungicide and/or fungistatic may provide advantages such as a broader range of activity against various organisms, a synergistic antifungal or preservative effect, or a longer duration of effect.

Another potentially advantageous combination includes an antifungal peptidic agent and a preservative that acts against non-fungal organisms (e.g., a bactericide, an algaecide), as it is contemplated that many fungal prone compositions and surfaces coated with such compositions are also susceptible to damage by a variety of organisms. Examples of preservatives that an antifungal peptidic agent may substitute for and/or be combined include, but are not limited to those non-peptidic antimicrobial compounds (i.e., biocides, fungicides, algaecides and mildewcides) have been shown to be of utility and are currently available and approved for use in the U.S./NAFTA, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. These antimicrobial agents are listed in Table 3, together with the name of a supplier.

Certain peptides contemplated for use as described herein have been shown (in one or more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,312; 5,602,097; and 5,885,782) to involve synergy between antifungal peptides and non-peptide antifungal agents that is useful in controlling growth of the Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Ceratocystis, Pythium, Mycosphaerella, Aspergillus and Candida genera of fungi. In particular, synergistic combinations have been described and successfully used to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus and A. paraciticus, and also Fusarium oxysporum with respect to agricultural applications. It is expected that these and other synergistic combinations of peptide and non-peptide agents will be useful as additives in paints, coatings and other compositions for deterring, preventing, or treating a fungal infestations.

Example 17 Combined Use of Antifungal Peptides and OP Degrading Agents

Beyond the concerns about food poisoning and hospital acquired infections by antibiotic-resistant “super bugs,” and worries about SARS-like outbreaks, there is also a need to prevent or protect against the possibility of contamination of public facilities and surfaces by toxic chemicals due to accidental spills, improper application of certain insecticides, or as a result of deliberate criminal or terroristic acts. In particular, organophosphorus compounds (“organophosphate compounds” or “OP compounds”) and organosulfur (“OS”) compounds, which are used extensively as insecticides, are highly toxic to many organisms, including humans. OP compounds function as nerve agents, and some of the most toxic OP compounds are known to have been used as chemical warfare agents. As discussed in more detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,435 filed Sep. 4, 2003, some OP chemical warfare agents can be taken up through skin contact and can remain on material, equipment and terrain for long periods of time (e.g., weeks). By addition of a thickener (e.g., a variety of carbon polymers), even volatile OP agents may be rendered less volatile and more persistent on a contaminated surface.

Thus, it can be readily appreciated that in some situations a multifunctional surface treatment that combines antifungal properties with the ability to degrade organophosphorus compounds would be desirable. Such composition may be in the form of a coating, a paint, a non-film forming coating, an elastomer, an adhesive, an sealant, a material applied to a textile, or a wax, and may be modified by addition of one or more antifungal peptide selected as described in Examples 1-6 and an organophosphorus compound detoxifying agent such as an OP degrading enzyme or cellular material containing such activity. Suitable OP degrading agents are described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,435 filed Sep. 4, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/792,516 filed Mar. 3, 2004 and hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Example 18 Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers Containing Antifungal Peptides

The antifungal additives described above are expected to be additionally useful for coating or mixing into sealants and elastomers such as grouts and caulks, especially those that are in frequent contact with, or constantly exposed to fungal nutrients and/or moisture. Examples of adhesives and sealants (e.g., caulks, acrylics, elastomers, phenolic resin, epoxy, polyurethane, anaerobic and structural acrylic, high-temperature polymers, water-based industrial type adhesives, water-based paper and packaging adhesives, water-based coatings, hot melt adhesives, hot melt coatings for paper and plastic, epoxy adhesives, plastisol compounds, construction adhesives, flocking adhesives, industrial adhesives, general purpose adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, sealants, mastics, urethanes) for various surfaces (e.g., metal, plastic, textile, paper), and techniques of preparation and assays for properties, have been described in Skeist, I., ed., Handbook of Adhesives, 3rd Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1990; Satriana, M. J. Hot Melt Adhesives: Manufacture and Applications, Noyes Data Corporation, New Jersey, 1974; Petrie, E. M., Handbook of Adhesives and Sealants, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2000; Hartshorn, S. R., ed., Structural Adhesives-Chemistry and Technology. Plenum Press, New York, 1986; Flick, E. W., Adhesive and Sealant Compound Formulations, 2nd Ed., Noyes Publications, New Jersey, 1984; Flick, E., Handbook of Raw Adhesives 2nd Ed., Noyes Publications, New Jersey, 1989; Flick, E., Handbook of Raw Adhesives, Noyes Publications, New Jersey, 1982; Dunning, H. R., Pressure Sensitive Adhesives-Formulations and Technology, 2nd Ed., Noyes Data Corporation, New Jersey, 1977; and Flick, E. W., Construction and Structural Adhesives and Sealants, Noyes Publications, New Jersey, 1988. An adhesive, sealant or elastomer composition containing one or more conventional antifungal substance may be modified by addition of one or more of the antifungal peptides described in Examples 1-6. The antifungal peptidic agent may be a single peptide of precisely known sequence, preferably the hexapeptide of SEQ ID No. 41 or an antifungal/antibacterial peptide as described in Example 14. Alternatively, the peptidic agent may be a peptide library aliquot containing a mixture of peptides in which at least two (and preferably three or four) of the N-terminal amino acid residues are known. If the peptidic agent is a mixture of peptides, at least one peptide will have antifungal activity.

Example 19 Antifungal Textile Finish

An antifungal peptidic agent may also be incorporated into a material applied to a textile, such as, for example, a textile finish. Textile finishes (e.g., soil-resistant finishes, stain-resistant finishes) and related materials for application to a textile are described, for example, in Johnson, K., ANTISTATIC COMPOSITIONS FOR TEXTILES AND PLASTICS, Noyes Data Corporation, New Jersey, 1976; Rouette, H. K., ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXTILE FINISHING, Springer, Verlag, 2001; TEXTILE FINISHING CHEMICALS: AN INDUSTRIAL GUIDE, by Ernest W. Flick, Noyes Publications, 1990; and HANDBOOK OF FIBER FINISH TECHNOLOGY, by Philip E. Slade, Marcel Dekker, 1998. One type of water repellent and/or oil repellent textile finish is Scotchguard™ (3M Corporate Headquarters, Maplewood, Minn., U.S.A.). A textile finish may be modified by addition of one or more of the antifungal peptides described in Examples 1-6. The antifungal peptidic agent may be a single peptide of precisely known sequence, preferably the hexapeptide of SEQ ID No. 41 or an antifungal/antibacterial peptide as described in Example 15. Alternatively, the peptidic agent may be a peptide library aliquot containing a mixture of peptides in which at least two (and preferably three or four) of the N-terminal amino acid residues are known. If the peptidic agent is a mixture of peptides, at least one peptide will have antifungal activity.

Example 20 Polymer-Linked Antifungal Peptides

In Example 4, above, conjugation of a peptide to a polymer carrier molecule or insoluble substrate is described for stabilizing the antifungal activity in the paint film or coating. That capability may also be used to advantage by chemically linking or otherwise associating one or more antifungal peptides to a polymeric material or plastic fabric which would otherwise be more susceptible to infestation, defacement or deterioration by fungus. Conventional techniques for linking the N- or C-terminus of a peptide to a long-chain polymer may be employed. The antifungal peptide may include additional amino acids on the linking end to facilitate linkage to the PVC polymer. A PVC-membrane such as a flexible or retractable roof or covering for an outdoor stadium, is treated to chemically link antifungal peptides to at least a portion of the outer surface of the membrane prior to its installation. Where an installed polymer membrane covering is already infested by mold, and it is not practical for it to be removed and replaced by a antifungal peptide-linked polymer membrane, it may be feasible to clean the existing infestation or discoloration, and then apply or bond a suitable antifungal coating containing a stabilized antifungal peptide. PVC is only one of many well-known types of plastic or polymer-containing materials that could be linked to an antifungal peptide in this manner.

Example 21 Kit for Preparing an Antifungal Coating

For ease of production, in most instances an antifungal paint or coating product containing antifungal peptidic agents will be provided to the consumer as a single premixed formulation. Alternatively, in order to optimize the initial activity and extend the useful lifetime of the antifungal coating, the antifungal peptidic agent may instead be packaged separately from the paint or coating product into which the antifungal agent is to be added. For increased stability, the peptidic agent may also contain a suitable solid or liquid carrier. As in preceding examples, the antifungal peptidic agent may comprise one or more “pure” antifungal peptides of defined sequence, or it may include a peptide library aliquot containing a mixture of peptides in which at least two (and preferably three or four) of the N-terminal amino acid residues are known (as in SEQ ID Nos. 1-24). If the peptidic agent is a mixture of peptides, at least one will have antifungal activity.

In some situations it may also be preferred to store a fungal-prone material in a separate container (“pot”) prior to application, in order to minimize the occurrence of fungal contamination prior to use and for other reasons. Separation of conventional coating components is typically done to reduce film formation during storage for certain types of coatings. Accordingly, some or all of the different components of the antifungal composition are stored in a plurality of containers, or as a multi-pack kit, and the components are admixed prior to and/or during application. For example, 0.001% to 100%, including all intermediate ranges and combinations thereof, of the antifungal peptidic agent may be stored in a separate container from one or more fungal-prone materials of the final composition. A multi-pack kit may include one or more pots of a fungal-prone material, preferably including 2- to 5-packs of fungal-prone material. A new antifungal composition may be prepared at or near the time of use by combining a fungal-prone material (e.g., carbon polymer-containing binder) with other coating components, including an antifungal peptide, polypeptide or protein, as described herein.

DEFINITIONS

The terms used herein have their customary and usual meanings, and are intended to encompass at least the following definitions, consistent with their use elsewhere herein: [0126] As used herein other than the claims, the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

As used herein other than the claims, the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” means “at least one” or “one or more”.

As used herein in the claim(s), when used in conjunction with the words “comprises” or “comprising,” the words “a”, “an”, “the” or “said” may refer to one or more than one. As used herein “another” may mean at least a second or more.

“Fungus” includes multicellular and unicellular organisms in the fungus family, including the true fungi, molds, mildews and yeasts. “Mold” is sometimes used herein as a synonym for fungi, where the context permits, especially when referring to indoor contaminants. However, the term “mold” also, and more specifically, denotes certain types of fungi. For example, the plasmodial slime molds, the cellular slime molds, water molds, and the everyday common mold. True molds are filamentous fungi consisting of the mycelium, specialized, spore-bearing structures called conidiophores, and conidia (spores). “Mildew” is another common name for certain fungi, including the powdery mildews and the downy mildews. “Yeasts” are unicellular members of the fungus family. For the purposes of the present disclosure, where any of the terms fungus, mold, mildew and yeast is used, the others are implied where the context permits.

“Building materials” include, but are not limited to, conventional and non-conventional indoor and outdoor construction and decorative materials, such as wood, Sheetrock® (wallboard), paper or vinyl coated wallboard, fabrics (textiles), carpet, leather, ceiling tiles, cellulose resin wall board (fiberboard), stone, brick, concrete, unglazed tile, stucco, grout, painted surfaces, roofing tiles, shingles, and other materials that are cellulose-rich, or are capable of providing nutrients to fungi, or are capable of harboring nutrient materials and supporting fungal infestation.

“Bioactive” means having an effect on a living organism, especially fungal cells, when the context allows.

An “antifungal peptide” refers specifically to a contiguous amino acid sequence from 3 to 100 amino acid residues in length, including all intermediate ranges, and which is capable of exerting antifungal activity, as defined above. For simplicity, where the context permits, the term “antifungal peptide” also refers to antifungal polypeptides (i.e., a contiguous amino acid sequence from 101 to 10,000 amino acid residues in length, including all intermediate ranges, and antifungal proteins which are proteinaceous molecules having a contiguous amino acid sequence of more than 10,000 amino acid residues length. Preferably such peptides, polypeptides and proteins are not encoded by the genome of an organism.

“Antifungal peptidic agent” refers to a peptide, polypeptide or protein having the ability to inhibit the growth of one or more genera and/or species of fungi. It is also intended to encompass mixtures of such peptides, polypeptides and proteins, together with any associated stabilizers, carriers, and inactive peptides/polypeptides/proteins. Where the context allows, the term “antifungal peptidic agent” may also refer to a peptide library aliquot containing a mixture of peptides in which at least two of the N-terminal amino acid residues are known. If the peptidic agent is a mixture of peptides, at least one will have antifungal activity.

“Antifungal activity” refers to inhibition of fungal cell attachment and/or growth, and is may also refer to fungal cell killing, as the context permits. Accordingly, some antifungal peptidic agents can also be denoted as “fungistatic agents” or “fungicides.”

“Inhibition of fungal growth” refers to cessation or reduction of fungal cell proliferation, and can also include inhibition of expression of cellularly produced proteins in static fungal cell colonies. Such inhibition can provide or facilitate disinfection, decontamination or sanitization of inanimate objects, which refer to the process of reducing the number of fungus microorganisms to levels that no longer pose a threat (e.g., to property or human health). Use of a bioactive antifungal agent can be accompanied by manual removal of mold-contaminated building materials, in some instances.

The term “biocide” as used herein refers to a substance that kills microorganisms and their spores. Depending on the type of microorganism killed, a biocidal substance may be further defined as a bactericide, fungicide, or algaecide. The term “biostatic” refers to a substance that prevents the growth of the microorganism and its spores, and encompasses bacteristatic, fungistatic and algaestatic compounds.

A “fungicide” is a biocidal substance used to kill or inactivate a specific microbial group, the fungi. The term “fungistatic,” is used to denote substances that prevent fungal microorganisms from growing or reproducing, but do not result in substantial inactivation or killing.

An “effective amount” refers to a concentration of antifungal peptide that is capable of exerting the desired antifungal effect, as defined above.

An “inanimate object” refers to structures and objects other than living organisms. Examples of inanimate objects are architectural structures having painted or unpainted surfaces such as the exterior and interior walls of buildings, industrial equipment, outdoor sculptures and furniture, construction materials for indoor or outdoor use, such as wood, stone, brick, wall board (Sheetrock®), ceiling tiles, concrete, unglazed tile, stucco, grout, roofing tiles, shingles, painted or treated wood, synthetic composite materials, leather and textiles.

A “base” or “substrate” refers to any surface that can potentially support the infestation and/or growth of a fungus or spore under favorable conditions for such infestation or growth. It is intended to include exterior surfaces of objects as well as interior surfaces of porous and semiporous objects (e.g., high surface area porous stone structures), constitutes a surface on which a coating can be directly applied and/or impregnated.

The term “coating” has its usual meaning and specifically includes the process of applying (e.g., brushing, dipping, spreading, spraying) or otherwise producing a coated surface, which may also be referred to as a coating, coat, covering, film or layer on a surface.

Where the context so indicates, the term “coating” may instead refer to the coating composition or mixture that is applied. For example, a coating composition may be capable of undergoing a change from a fluent to a nonfluent condition by removal of solvents, vehicles or carriers, by setting, by chemical reaction or conversion, or by solidification from a molten state. The coating or film that is formed may be hard or soft, elastic or inelastic, permanent or transitory. Where the context allows, the act of coating also includes impregnating a surface or object by causing a coating material to extend or penetrate into the object, or into the interstices of a porous, cellular or foraminous material. The general composition and properties of conventional coating materials are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,345 filed Sep. 4, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the use of the term “coating” (“coat,” “surface coat,” “surface coating”) is also intended to be consistent with its use in PAINT and Coating Testing Manual, Fourteenth Edition of the Gardner-Sward Handbook (Koleske, J. V. Ed.), p. 696, 1995; and in “ASTM Book of Standards, Volume 06.01, Paint—Tests for Chemical, Physical, and Optical Properties; Appearance,” D16-00, 2002, i.e., “a liquid, liquefiable or mastic composition that is converted to a solid protective, decorative, or functional adherent film after application as a thin layer.” Examples of a coating include a clear coating and a paint.

A “paint” generally refers to a “pigmented liquid, liquefiable or mastic composition designed for application to a substrate in a thin layer which is converted to an opaque solid film after application. Used for protection, decoration or identification, or to serve some functional purpose such as the filling or concealing of surface irregularities, the modification of light and heat radiation characteristics, etc,” [Paint and Coating Testing Manual, Fourteenth Edition of the Gardner-Sward Handbook (Koleske, J. V. Ed.), p. 696, 1995]. Surface treatments, particularly coatings and paints, have been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/655,345 filed Sep. 4, 2003 (Attorney Docket No. RACT-00200). “Elastomers” or rubbers are polymers that can undergo large, but reversible, deformations upon a relatively low physical stress. Elastomers (e.g., tire rubbers, polyurethane elastomers, polymers ending in an anionic diene, segmented polyerethane-urea copolymers, diene triblock polymers with styrene-alpha-methylstyrene copolymer end blocks, poly (p-methylstyrene-b-p-methylstyrene), polydimethylsiloxane-vinyl monomer block polymers, chemically modified natural rubber, polymers from hydrogenated polydienes, polyacrylic elastomers, polybutadienes, trans-polyisoprene, polyisobutene, cis-1,4-polybutadiene, polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers, block polymers, polyester thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers) and techniques of elastomer synthesis and elastomer property analysis have been described, for example, in Walker, B. M., ed., Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1979; Holden, G., ed., et. al., Thermoplastic Elastomers, 2nd Ed., Hanser Publishers, Verlag, 1996.

An “adhesive” is a composition that is capable of uniting, bonding or holding at least two surfaces together, preferably in a strong and permanent manner (e.g., glue, cement, paste).

A “sealant” is a composition capable of attaching to at least two surfaces, filling the space between them to provide a barrier or protective coating (e.g., by filling gaps or making a surface nonporous).

A “fungal-prone material” is a substance that is capable of serving as a food source for a fungus, or is a material that contains one or more such substance. For example, in the context of a paint or coating composition, a fungal-prone material may be a binder containing a carbon-based polymer that serves as a nutrient for a fungus.

All patents, published patent applications and other publications cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they describe materials and methods supplementary to that set forth herein. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out any objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. The preferred antifungal compositions and methods described herein are exemplary and intended to be representative of other embodiments which will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. For instance, in light of the present disclosure and representative examples, changes in the disclosed compositions and methods and other uses will occur to those skilled in the respective arts of preparing and using paints and coatings, textile finishes, waxes, elastomers, adhesives and sealants which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and defined by the scope of the appended claims. The present examples, therefore, are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.

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1-207. (canceled)
 208. A coating composition comprising: an antifungal peptidic agent of SEQ ID Nos 1 through 10 or having functionally equivalent amino acid substituted sequences having no more than a +/−2 difference in hydropathic value of the Kyte-Doolittle scale relative thereto, wherein chiral amino acids of the peptidic agent are L-amino acids, and wherein said coating is a clear coating.
 209. A coating composition comprising: an antifungal peptidic agent of SEQ ID Nos 1-10 or having functionally equivalent amino acid substituted sequences having no more than a +/−2 difference in hydropathic value of the Kyte-Doolittle scale relative thereto, wherein said coating is a paint, said paint comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, Bentonite clay, silicate mineral, and acrylic latex.
 210. The coating composition of claim 209 having functionally equivalent amino acid substituted sequences having no more than a +/−1 difference in hydropathic value of the Kyte-Doolittle scale relative thereto. 